Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Tablet while Breastfeeding

There are high number of clear evidence that breastfeeding provides best nutrition that you can give to your baby. It is also evident that lactation is good for mothers health as well. Evolution has designed breastfeeding in a way that it caters all nutritional need of your child. However modern medicine is quite new for evolution, that is why mothers body is not well prepared to filter unnecessary chemical found in medicines. It becomes a necessity to figure out which drug is safe and which drug is dangerous for your newborn while nursing. In this article we will understand function of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Tablet and its suitability with breastfeeding.

Valacyclovir hydrochloride 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) Limitations of Use ( 1.3 ) The efficacy and safety of valacyclovir hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride tablets are indicated for treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis). The efficacy of valacyclovir hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride tablets are indicated for treatment of the initial episode of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of treatment with valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets when initiated more than 72 hours after the onset of signs and symptoms has not been established. Recurrent Episodes: Valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets are indicated for treatment of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of treatment with valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets when initiated more than 24 hours after the onset of signs and symptoms has not been established. Suppressive Therapy: Valacyclovir hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the reduction of transmission of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets for the reduction of transmission of genital herpes beyond 8 months in discordant couples has not been established. The efficacy of valacyclovir hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) in immunocompetent adults. The efficacy of valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets when initiated more than 72 hours after the onset of rash and the efficacy and safety of valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets for treatment of disseminated herpes zoster have not been established. 1.2 Pediatric Patients Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis): Valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis) in pediatric patients ≥12 years of age. The efficacy of valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets initiated after the development of clinical signs of a cold sore (e.g., papule, vesicle, or ulcer) has not been established. Labeling describing use of valacyclovir HCL in pediatric patients with chickenpox (ages 2 to ≤ 18 years) is approved for GlaxoSmithKline’s Valtrex®* Caplets. However, due to GlaxoSmithKline’s marketing exclusivity rights, a description of that pediatric use is not approved for this valacyclovir HCL tablet product. 1.3 Limitations of Use The efficacy and safety of valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets 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 <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. Labeling describing use of valacyclovir HCL in pediatric patients with chickenpox (ages of 2 to ≤ 18 years) is approved for GlaxoSmithKline’s Valtrex®* Caplets. However, due to GlaxoSmithKline’s marketing exclusivity rights, a description of that pediatric use is not approved for this valacyclovir HCL tablet product.

Statement of Manufacturer/Labeler about breastfeeding usage
8.3 Nursing Mothers Following oral administration of a 500 mg dose of valacyclovir hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride tablets 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 hydrochloride tablets are administered to a nursing woman.