Valacyclovir for herpes simplex encephalitis.

Abstract

The recommended treatment for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) remains intravenous acyclovir. In resource-poor countries, however, intravenous formulations are usually unavailable or unaffordable. We report the penetration of acyclovir into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with HSE, treated with the oral prodrug valacyclovir at 1,000 mg three times daily. The oral therapy achieved adequate acyclovir concentrations in the CSF and may be an acceptable early treatment for suspected HSE in resource-limited settings.

• Authors: Thomas Pouplin, Julie Nguyen Pouplin, Pham Van Toi, Niklas Lindegardh, H Rogier van Doorn, Tran Tinh Hien, Jeremy Farrar, M Estée Török, Tran Thi Hong Chau
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 55 Issue 7 Pg. 3624-6 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 1098-6596 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21576427 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Valine
• Valacyclovir
• Acyclovir

Topics

• Acyclovir (analogs & derivatives, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Antiviral Agents (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex (blood, drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Valacyclovir
• Valine (analogs & derivatives, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)