Details

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Valganciclovir 450mg Tablets is an antiviral drug that is  a hydrochloride salt of the L-valyl ester of ganciclovir.

It contains two diastereomers as a mixture.

It  has high oral bioavailability and is hydrolysed rapidly in the intestine and liver after oral administration leading to high levels of ganciclovir.

Mechanism of action : Both diastereomers present in valganciclovir, when taken orally, are rapidly converted to ganciclovir by intestinal and hepatic esterases enzymes. Then ganciclovir gets activated by phosphorylation ,it competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase leading to the ending of viral DNA elongation. This results in the death of the virus infected cell.

It is available as Valcyte and Valixa in the International market and Valcyte in Indian market.

USES

• Valganciclovir 450mg Tablets are used in Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis Infection of eyes in AIDS patients.
• Valcyte is also given to protect from cytomegalovirus infections in organ transplant patients.

 

 

DOSAGE

• Valganciclovir 450mg Tablets come as Pink, convex oval film-coated tablets
• Take this medication by mouth with food and swallow it whole without breaking or crushing it.
• The dosage and length of treatment is determined by the doctor based on the factors like severity of infection, pre existing medical conditions, age, weight , ongoing medications and any allergy.
• Dosages are also modified to minimize dose related side effects of blood disorders and kidney dysfunction.
• Valcyte does not require any special storage conditions.
• Avoid direct contact with skin or mucous membranes.

 

Side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rashes
• Sweating
• Fever
• Insomnia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• upset stomach
• Neuropsychiatric disturbances like convulsions, mental confusion
• Rarely hepatic
• Myelosuppression leading to thrombocytopenia, neutropenia
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Kidney toxicity
• Drowsiness
• Anemia
• Inhibition of spermatogenesis
• Increased serum creatinine levels
• Insomnia
• Retinal detachment
• Ataxia
• Catheter-related infection

 

Precautions

• Valganciclovir 450mg Tablets is contraindicated in case of allergy to ganciclovir, pre existing cytopenias, in patients already on myelosuppressive drugs, kidney diseases and breastfeeding mothers.
• Careful monitoring of patients and blood tests are required to avoid the severe complications of neutropenia, kidney dysfunction and liver dysfunction.
• It is also contraindicated in pregnant women as it causes damage to the growing fetus.
• Tell the doctor about any pre-existing allergy ,pre-existing medical condition and ongoing medication.
• Always tell the doctor about pregnancy, future plan of pregnancy, and breastfeeding before starting the treatment.

Do not switch to Valixa from ganciclovir capsules without consulting a doctor. Switching drugs can cause overdose resulting in life threatening complications.