Antivirals for systemic use.
Pharmacotherapeutic group
Nucleosides and nucleotides excluding reverse transcriptase inhibitors, ATC code: J05AB11.
Mechanism of action
Valaciclovir, an antiviral, is the L-valine ester of aciclovir. Aciclovir is a purine (guanine) nucleoside analogue.
Valaciclovir is rapidly and almost completely converted in man to aciclovir and valine, probably by the enzyme referred to as valaciclovir hydrolase.
Aciclovir is a specific inhibitor of the herpes viruses with in vitro activity against herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type 1 and type 2, varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6). Aciclovir inhibits herpes virus DNA synthesis once it has been phosphorylated to the active triphosphate form.
The first stage of phosphorylation requires the activity of a virus-specific enzyme. In the case of HSV, VZV and EBV this enzyme is the viral thymidine kinase (TK), which is only present in virus-infected cells. Selectivity is maintained in CMV with phosphorylation, at least in part, being mediated through the phosphotransferase gene product of UL97. This requirement for activation of aciclovir by a virus-specific enzyme largely explains its selectivity.
The phosphorylation process is completed (conversion from mono- to triphosphate) by cellular kinases. Aciclovir triphosphate competitively inhibits the virus DNA polymerase and incorporation of this nucleoside analogue results in obligate chain termination, halting virus DNA synthesis and thus blocking virus replication.
Pharmacodynamic effects
Resistance to aciclovir is normally due to a thymidine kinase deficient phenotype which results in a virus which is disadvantaged in the natural host. Reduced sensitivity to aciclovir has been described as a result of subtle alterations in either the virus thymidine kinase or DNA polymerase. The virulence of these variants resembles that of the wild-type virus.
Monitoring of clinical HSV and VZV isolates from patients receiving aciclovir therapy or prophylaxis has revealed that virus with reduced sensitivity to aciclovir is extremely rare in the immunocompetent host and is found infrequently in severely immunocompromised individuals e.g. organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, patients receiving chemotherapy for malignant disease and people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Clinical efficacy and safety
Varicella Zoster Virus Infection
Valtrex accelerates the resolution of pain: it reduces the duration of and the proportion of patients with zoster-associated pain, which includes acute and, in patients older than 50 years, also post-herpetic neuralgia. Valtrex reduces the risk of ocular complications of ophthalmic zoster.
Intravenous therapy generally is considered standard for zoster treatment in immunocompromised patients; however, limited data indicate a clinical benefit of valaciclovir in the treatment of VZV infection (herpes zoster) in certain immunocompromised patients, including those with solid organ cancer, HIV, autoimmune diseases, lymphoma, leukaemia and stem cell transplants.
Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Valaciclovir for ocular HSV infections should be given according to applicable treatment guidelines.
Studies of valaciclovir treatment and suppression for genital herpes were performed in HIV/HSV coinfected patients with a median CD4 count of > 100cells/mm3. Valaciclovir 500 mg twice daily was superior to 1000 mg once daily for suppression of symptomatic recurrences Valaciclovir 1000 mg twice daily for treatment of recurrences was comparable to oral aciclovir 200 mg five times daily on herpes episode duration. Valaciclovir has not been studied in patients with severe immune deficiency.
The efficacy of valaciclovir for the treatment of other HSV skin infections has been documented. Valaciclovir has shown efficacy in the treatment of herpes labialis (cold sores), mucositis due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, HSV reactivation from facial resurfacing, and herpes gladiatorum. Based on historical aciclovir experience, valaciclovir appears to be as effective as aciclovir for the treatment of erythema multiforme, eczema herpeticum and herpetic whitlow.
Valaciclovir has been proven to reduce the risk of transmission of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults when taken as suppressive therapy and combined with safer sex practices. A double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted in 1,484 heterosexual, immunocompetent adult couples discordant for HSV-2 infection. Results showed significant reductions in risk of transmission: 75 % (symptomatic HSV-2 acquisition), 50 % (HSV-2 seroconversion), and 48 % (overall HSV-2 acquisition) for valaciclovir compared to placebo. Among subjects participating in a viral shedding sub-study, valaciclovir significantly reduced shedding by 73 % compared to placebo (see section 4.4 for additional information on transmission reduction).
Cytomegalovirus Infection (see section 4.4)
CMV prophylaxis with valaciclovir in subjects receiving solid organ transplantation (kidney, heart) reduces the occurrence of acute graft rejection, opportunistic infections and other herpes virus infections (HSV, VZV). There is no direct comparative study versus valganciclovir to define the optimal therapeutic management of solid organ transplant patients.