ArticleCureus2025
A Dose Too Far: Valacyclovir's Surprising Side Effect.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Valacyclovir, a prodrug of acyclovir, is a widely prescribed antiviral medication known for its efficacy in treating herpes infections. Although generally considered safe, rare cases of psychiatric adverse effects, including psychosis, have been reported. The precise mechanism underlying valacyclovir-induced psychosis remains unclear, but proposed explanations include potential neurotoxicity and alterations in neurotransmitter activity. Importantly, such adverse effects have been documented even in patients with normal renal function. Given that valacyclovir's pharmacokinetics are significantly altered in individuals with renal impairment - characterized by reduced clearance and prolonged half-life - the risk of drug accumulation and subsequent neurological complications is heightened in this population. Here, we present a unique case of valacyclovir-induced psychosis in a patient with pre-existing renal failure, emphasizing the importance of considering renal function when prescribing and monitoring this medication to mitigate the risk of psychiatric complications.
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