Pharmacokinetics and safety of multiple-dose valaciclovir in geriatric volunteers with and without concomitant diuretic therapy

A randomized, double-blind study was conducted to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of acyclovir following multiple-dose oral administration of valaciclovir (three times a day for 8 days) in geriatric volunteers (65 to 83 years of age). Pharmacokinetic evaluation was performed for three groups: normotensive subjects given 500-mg doses of valaciclovir (n = 11), normotensive subjects given, 1,000-mg doses of valaciclovir (n = 9), and thiazide diuretic-treated hypertensive subjects given 500-mg doses of valaciclovir (n = 9). Valaciclovir, the l-valyl ester of acylclovir, was rapidly absorbed and converted to acyclovir, with plasma valaciclovir concentrations generally undetectable or 75 ml/min/1.73 m2), the elderly subjects (CLCR = 40 to 65 ml/min/1.73 m2) showed higher (approximately 15 to 20%) mean Cmaxs and higher (approximately 30 to 50%) mean AUC(0-infinity)s of acyclovir (P < 0.01), which were consistent with age-related decreases in CLCR. The increased acyclovir exposure from valaciclovir dosing will permit reduced dosing frequency and may result in improved efficacy in the management of herpesvirus diseases.