VALGAN 450mg TABS – Valganciclovir – 4 TABS

Description

Valgan 450mg is a prescription-only antiviral medicine in Kenya that contains valganciclovir 450mg, an oral prodrug of ganciclovir. It is primarily used to treat or prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Uses

• Treatment of CMV retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

• Prevention of CMV infection and disease in patients who have received solid organ transplants and are at risk.

Key Benefits

• Highly effective against CMV infections.

• Convenient oral tablet formulation.

• Helps reduce the risk of CMV-related complications post-transplant.

Dosage & Administration

• Valgan 450mg – Adult Dosage Recommendations

  1. CMV Retinitis (Treatment in AIDS patients)

  • Induction therapy:

    • 900mg (2 tablets) twice daily with food for 21 days.

  • Maintenance therapy:

    • 900mg (2 tablets) once daily with food.

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  2. CMV Prevention (Post-Transplant Prophylaxis)

  • 900mg (2 tablets) once daily with food.

  • Start within 10 days post-transplant.

  • Continue for 100 days (or up to 200 days in high-risk patients, e.g. kidney transplant).

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  Paediatric Dosage (CMV Prevention after Transplant)

  • Dose is weight-based and calculated using body surface area (BSA) and creatinine clearance.

  • Formula used (by doctors/pharmacists):

    $$\text{Dose (mg)}=7\times \text{BSA}\times \text{Creatinine Clearance (Schwartz formula)}$$

  • Maximum: 900mg once daily.
    (This requires close specialist monitoring.)

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  Renal Impairment Dose Adjustments (Adults)

  • CrCl ≥60 mL/min: 900mg once daily (full dose).

  • CrCl 40–59 mL/min: 450mg once daily.

  • CrCl 25–39 mL/min: 450mg every 2 days.

  • CrCl 10–24 mL/min: 450mg twice weekly.

  • CrCl <10 mL/min (on dialysis): Not recommended.

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  Key Administration Notes

  • Take with food to improve absorption.

  • Swallow tablets whole (do not crush or chew – can be toxic).

  • Regular blood tests (CBC, renal function) required.

  • Effective contraception is required (men & women) during and for a time after therapy (valganciclovir is teratogenic).

• Take with food for best absorption.
  (Dosage must be individualized by a healthcare professional.)

Precautions

• For adult use only (not recommended in children unless prescribed).

• Adjust dose in renal impairment.

• May cause bone marrow suppression – regular blood counts are required.

• Contraindicated in pregnancy unless clearly needed; effective contraception is advised.

Possible Side Effects

• Anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia

• Headache, fever, diarrhoea

• Elevated liver enzymes

• Fatigue