Valacyclovir Hydrochloride | Valacyclovir Tablet while Breastfeeding

For most of the drugs advantages of taking medications overweighs the potential risks however some drugs could be really dangerous for breastfed baby hence every medication shall be considered separately. In this page we will discuss about purpose of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride | Valacyclovir Tablet and its risk associated with lactation. We will also discuss the usage of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride | Valacyclovir Tablet and some common side effects associated with Valacyclovir Hydrochloride | Valacyclovir Tablet.

Valacyclovir tablets are a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for: Adult Patients ( 1.1 ) •Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis) •Genital Herpes •Treatment in immunocompetent patients (initial or recurrent episode) •Suppression in immunocompetent or HIV-infected patients •Reduction of transmission •Herpes Zoster Pediatric Patients ( 1.2 ) •Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis) •Chickenpox Limitations of Use ( 1.3 ) •The efficacy and safety of valacyclovir tablets have not been established in immunocompromised patients other than for the suppression of genital herpes in HIV-infected patients. 1.1 Adult Patients Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis) Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis). The efficacy of valacyclovir tablets initiated after the development of clinical signs of a cold sore (e.g., papule, vesicle, or ulcer) has not been established. Genital Herpes Initial Episode Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for treatment of the initial episode of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of treatment with valacyclovir tablets when initiated more than 72 hours after the onset of signs and symptoms has not been established. Recurrent Episodes Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for treatment of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of treatment with valacyclovir tablets when initiated more than 24 hours after the onset of signs and symptoms has not been established. Suppressive Therapy Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent and in HIV-infected adults. The efficacy and safety of valacyclovir tablets for the suppression of genital herpes beyond 1 year in immunocompetent patients and beyond 6 months in HIV-infected patients have not been established. Reduction of Transmission Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for the reduction of transmission of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of valacyclovir tablets for the reduction of transmission of genital herpes beyond 8 months in discordant couples has not been established. The efficacy of valacyclovir tablets for the reduction of transmission of genital herpes in individuals with multiple partners and non-heterosexual couples has not been established. Safer sex practices should be used with suppressive therapy (see current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines). Herpes Zoster Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of valacyclovir tablets when initiated more than 72 hours after the onset of rash and the efficacy and safety of valacyclovir tablets for treatment of disseminated herpes zoster have not been established. 1.2 Pediatric Patients Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis) Valacyclovir tablets are indicated for the treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis) in pediatric patients ≥ 12 years of age. The efficacy of valacyclovir tablets initiated after the development of clinical signs of a cold sore (e.g., papule, vesicle, or ulcer) has not been established. Chickenpox Valacyclovir is indicated for the treatment of chickenpox in immunocompetent pediatric patients 2 to < 18 years of age. Based on efficacy data from clinical studies with oral acyclovir, treatment with valacyclovir should be initiated within 24 hours after the onset of rash [see Clinical Studies (14.4)]. 1.3 Limitations of Use The efficacy and safety of valacyclovir have not been established in: •Immunocompromised patients other than for the suppression of genital herpes in HIV-infected patients with a CD4+ cell count ≥ 100 cells/mm3. •Patients < 12 years of age with cold sores (herpes labialis). •Patients < 2 years of age or ≥ 18 years of age with chickenpox. •Patients < 18 years of age with genital herpes. •Patients < 18 years of age with herpes zoster. •Neonates and infants as suppressive therapy following neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.

Statement of Manufacturer/Labeler about breastfeeding usage
8.3 Nursing Mothers Following oral administration of a 500 mg dose of valacyclovir tablets to 5 nursing mothers, peak acyclovir concentrations (Cmax) in breast milk ranged from 0.5 to 2.3 times (median 1.4) the corresponding maternal acyclovir serum concentrations. The acyclovir breast milk AUC ranged from 1.4 to 2.6 times (median 2.2) maternal serum AUC. A 500 mg maternal dosage of valacyclovir twice daily would provide a nursing infant with an oral acyclovir dosage of approximately 0.6 mg/kg/day. This would result in less than 2% of the exposure obtained after administration of a standard neonatal dose of 30 mg/kg/day of intravenous acyclovir to the nursing infant. Unchanged valacyclovir was not detected in maternal serum, breast milk, or infant urine. Caution should be exercised when valacyclovir tablets are administered to a nursing woman.