From survodutide titration to oral PCSK9 adherence and HF care models, AHA 2026 experts pointed to pharmacists as key to putting new data into practice.
|Articles|April 6, 2022
Daily Medication Pearl: Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Author(s)Saro Arakelians, PharmD
Valtrex is a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor that can treat herpes virus infections.
Advertisement
Medication Pearl of the Day: Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Indication: Valtrex is a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for adult patients with cold sores (herpes labialis) or genital herpes. It can treat herpes virus infections, including shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes, as well as chickenpox. However, this treatment does not cure herpes, but could help to prevent herpes sores or blisters.
Insight:
- Dosing: Depending on the indication, it could be 500 mg to 2 gram every day to every 12 hours.
- Dosage forms: Caplets: 500 mg (unscored), 1 gram (partially scored).
- Adverse events: The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 1 indication by >10% of adult patients treated with Valtrex and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are headache, nausea, and abdominal pain.
- Mechanism of action: Valacyclovir is a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase 497 inhibitor. Valacyclovir hydrochloride is rapidly converted to acyclovir, which has demonstrated 498 antiviral activity against HSV types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) and VZV both in cell culture and 499 in vivo.
- Manufacturer: GSK
Sources:
Advertisement
Related to this article
Christie Ballantyne, MD, says high extension enrollment and a single 20-mg daily dose are encouraging signs for patient adherence to oral enlicitide.
An ASRA-recognized quality improvement project draws attention to injectate reproducibility, offering a starting point for examining medication preparation and pharmacists’ role in safer pain procedures.
A meta-analysis presented at IDWeek 2026 found responses were stronger after chemotherapy but waned within a year, supporting a 2-dose strategy.
How should a factor XIa inhibitor be incorporated into secondary stroke prevention?
Inconsistent state immunization laws complicate pharmacy operations and limit patient access.
Pharmacists can strengthen opioid safety through individualized counseling, overdose prevention, and coordinated follow-up that keeps patients involved in treatment decisions.
OCEANIC-STROKE supports a potential additional antithrombotic approach for select patients after noncardioembolic stroke or high-risk TIA.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending on Pharmacy Times
1
FDA Reportedly Shelves Commissioner's National Priority Voucher Program
2
Belantamab Mafodotin Moves Into Lenalidomide-Refractory Myeloma in Updated NCCN Guidelines
3
Inside the OCEANIC-STROKE Trial and What Asundexian Means for the Future of Stroke Prevention
4
Glucose Monitoring: Timing Makes Every Reading Count
5