[jenb]

Does anyone know if there will be a generic for Valtrex anytime soon?

[ernesto]

I know what you mean, $ 113.- for 20 pills.

[RoC1909]

Have you asked your doctor about Acyclovir?

http://acyclovir.drugs.com/

From looking on the Internet and seeing the prices, it quite a bit less expensive and may possibly give the same benificial effect as Valtrex.

As far as generic medicines and from my understanding, it takes MANY YEARS (10+) for "name brand" drug introduction to the generic stage. I think it has to do with the patents and when they run out.

Regards,

J

[englishfinn]

I have used Acyclovir 400mg twice a day for 5 days. when I needed it for several years. it works exactly like Valrtex. Zovirex is another one they are basicaly the same [8D]

[DanS]

The chemical (generic) name for Valtrex is Valacyclovir. Valacyclovir is converted into Acyclovir in the body. Acyclovir is the chemical name for Zovirax. Acyclovir is available commercially. If you don't have insurance I would take Acyclovir. It is the same stuff essentially.

[givemeineed]

Two different drugs in my opinion..... when I used Acyclovir (zovirax) my cold sores seem to speed up the process of the cold sore and heal faster. When I take Valacyclovir (Valtrex) I can stop the cold sore straight in it's tracks. I take a valtrex as soon as I can feel the tingling sensation or a bump starting on my lips and it will go completely away within 12 hours.. Valtrex has truly changed my life but unfortunately the price of 1 pill has skyrocketed to $10 a pill and that is just a plain tragedy. It has become impossible to afford a medication for a such a serious condition. Shame on the Rx companies!!!!!

[cweed]

The only generic you can get is made by CIPLA, and get it on line only much cheaper. Looks good, legal? I don't know.


http://www.4rx.com/online-pharmacy/c...r-valtrex.html
I just looked it up as I have the same question and frustrated by the price.

Have no experience with the generic yet, it's out there though and CIPLA is a huge company in India, makes all the AIDS generic too among other drugs.

[ebowen99]

Here is the answer to the generic Valtrex question, as found at http://herpes.emedtv.com/valtrex/generic-valtrex.html:

"The first patent for Valtrex currently expires in 2009. This is the earliest date that a generic version of Valtrex could become available. However, other circumstances could extend the exclusivity period beyond 2009. This could include such things as other patents for specific Valtrex uses or lawsuits. Once Valtrex goes off-patent, several companies will likely begin manufacturing a generic Valtrex drug."

Hope this helps!

[momofthreeboys]

I bought generic Valtrex through an online Canadian pharmacy called Planet Drugs Direct, (www.plantetdrugsdirect.com). This is a "verified" real Canadian pharmacy. They ship the Valtrex from other countries where I guess the drugs aren't bound by the same laws as in the US for name brand drugs. (This is the same medication a previous poster mentioned, made by CIPLA). Not sure how this works, but my husband has taken the generic Valtrex for over 2 years and it works. He will usually only have an outbreak when he goes off the medication for a few days. If he takes it everyday he will be outbreak free for long periods. From research I've done (on the internet) people really don't build up a resistance to Valtrex and can take it for years to prevent outbreaks.

Since we don't have prescription coverage, regular Valtrex would cost us over $200/mo to have the prescription filled at Wal-mart. At Planet Drugs it is $157 for a 90 day supply of the 1000mg pillls, that's only $52/mo or $1.74/pill. That is by far the cheapest I've found. Paying full price you can pay up to $10/pill at some pharmacies. There is also a site called www.pharmacychecker.com where you can price compare all the "verified" real online Canadian pharmacies for your specific prescriptions.

Acyclovir is another option and it is WAY cheaper (maybe $20/mo), but you have to take it twice per day and our doctor said Valtrex is much easier on the stomach. My hubby has tried to take acyclovir for two separate time periods and had constant diarrhea both times. Valtrex doesn't seem to give him any side effects.

There is a program through GlaxoSmithKline (manufacturer of Valtrex) to pay for your prescriptions, if you meet income guidelines. The website is www.gskforyou.com

There is also a website, www.pparx.org where you can find out about all kinds of prescription drug assistance programs. If you meet the income guidelines, you could get Valtrex free through one of these programs. Good luck!

[Abuwell]

side effects?

[Clomid]

I bought Valtrex online at http://buy-generic-pills.com - trusted pharmacy and Zovirax at http://worldwide-pharmacy.net

[potarerik@gimal.com]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

potar.........





DelawareDrugAddiction

[lbg_85]

Hi all... yes it is true Valtrex goes generic in 2009! Until then, here is some info for you all. Acyclovir (Brand name Zovirax) is the exact same drug that is in valacyclovir (Brand name Valtrex), only Valtrex is formulated as extended release. Yes, the same drug. They put the val- in front to indicate the difference in chemical structure that allows it to be extended release. The body metabolizes it into acyclovir, which is the active drug. The only difference about Valtrex is of course, since it is extended release, you only have to take it once a day, instead of twice a day like acyclovir. This may not seem like a monumental difference, but it is. How many of us that take acyclovir twice a day forget to take that evening dose? It's the hardest one to remember. That's why Valtrex is the drug of choice. It maintains a more constant blood level of acyclovir. However, if you cannot afford Valtrex right now, I would recommend taking acyclovir twice a day until Valtrex goes generic. It is very important to remember to take this twice a day, and at approximate 12 hour intervals for best results (7 am and 7 pm). If it is taken constantly in this way, there is really no difference between the two. It's just a matter of convenience.
How do I know this? I am in my 3rd year of pharmacy school. I come from a background where I can't afford to pay for Valtrex every month either. That is why I wanted to share this information with you all.

[lbg_85]

These drugs do have side effects listed, although they appear to be rare. Nausea and headache are the most commonly occuring (although, as previously stated, they are rare). Acyclovir is actually pretty safe, and at one time was even considered for OTC sale. The reason it was not marketed as such was because the FDA did not think the public was equipped to self-diagnose genital herpes. If you have normal kidney function, there are no drug interactions you really need to worry about. I would advise people to make sure to drink plenty of water with these medications.