Tag: Antiviral safety

While modern antivirals can be life-saving, they are not without potential toxicity, ranging from mild side effects like gastrointestinal issues to more severe, organ-specific damage. The risk of toxicity is often dose-dependent and influenced by the specific drug, duration of treatment, and patient-specific factors such as organ function.

While generally well-tolerated for long-term suppressive therapy, valacyclovir can, in rare instances, lead to serious chronic complications, primarily involving the kidneys and central nervous system, particularly in vulnerable populations. It is crucial to understand what are the long-term side effects of valacyclovir.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection globally [1.6.2]. When choosing a treatment, a key question is: **which is safer, acyclovir or valacyclovir?** Both are effective, but differences in how the body processes them affect their safety and side effect profiles.