Acyclovir User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2017

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I'm 48, and I was diagnosed with genital herpes when I was 35. I started dating a new guy, and within 2 weeks, I felt horrible burning when I urinated. I went to my midwives, and sure enough, I had herpes. The funny thing is I wasn't with anyone prior to him, and I was with him for 6 years, and not once did he ever test positive. They actually claim I could have had it on my face, touched it, and touched my genitals without washing my hands and transferred it. The outbreaks are less and less over the years, but when I feel one coming, I take acyclovir 500mg 2x daily. It helps right away. And I use a squirt bottle with warm water as I urinate to help reduce the burning."

• HSV...
• July 1, 2016

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "This stuff works great. I had my initial outbreak last year and thankfully had no pain, just itchiness. Got the sores and went to the doc - 800 mg 3 times a day for 10 days. Within three days, maybe even two, they completely shrank and I could barely see them. By the 5th day, completely gone. A few days ago, 3 bumps appeared and I got another RX. On the third day and it is completely gone. Maybe some gastrointestinal discomfort as a side effect, but that might have been due to my crappy diet the last few days too :)"

• zom...
• June 6, 2013

For Mononucleosis "I had some unusual herpes-like symptoms that came with my mononucleosis, and they prescribed this to me thinking that even if it did not help, it would not hurt me. I had found astonishing results, and it made all my symptoms less drastic and made me get over it much faster."

• Cyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2020

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I had itching for 3 months before my first HSV-2 lesion appeared. It was very mild, but I had the fever, swollen lymph nodes, and intense burning. I took Acyclovir for 5 days, which reduced my symptoms quickly. I am now on 400 mg twice daily for suppression, however, I still get the odd itch here and there."

• K T...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2018

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "My first outbreak was horrific. I could not walk for a week, the pain was so unbearable. I laid in bed the whole time with cold packs between my legs and dreaded when having to use the bathroom because the pain was excruciating. I started this medication 4 days after I was infected and had symptoms. It did help, and I have been on it for a couple of months now with no side effects. My doctor wants me to be on it for 2 years for suppressive therapy and then try to get off of it. She did inform me, however, that if I had several outbreaks, she had no problem putting me back on it. She assured me it was safe long-term. There have been times I have forgotten to take my meds, and within a few days I have some symptoms, but then I start back up again, and in a few days, I am feeling better. This medicine truly allows me to forget that I have HSV-2, other than when I take my meds. It’s been a miracle for me."

• kay...
• January 5, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was diagnosed almost 2 and a half years ago and have been taking daily suppression since. This medicine works like a charm. I haven't had any full-on outbreaks since taking it, and sometimes I would even forget to take it for a few days with no issue. There have been a couple of instances where I felt one coming on, but that only ever happened during the 'few days I didn't take it.' When that happened, I would just double up on the dosage until I didn't feel it anymore. The only reason I give it a 9 is because you have to take it twice daily, whereas for Valacyclovir, you only need it once daily. However, Valacyclovir is a lot more expensive, and taking acyclovir twice daily will do the same thing. Just have to remember to take them!"

• jls...
• July 25, 2008

Acyclovir for Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I have been taking Zovirax for over 12 years, 400 mg each night at bedtime. I have only had a few outbreaks, caused by kissing my husband who had outbreaks. On doctor's orders, I am to increase to 800 mg each night at bedtime when I do have an outbreak, or when I'm not feeling well. Other viruses can set off a cold sore attack."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

For Mononucleosis "My daughter was battling with what they said was tonsillitis. After 6 days and no improvement on antibiotics, we went back to the doctor, and they diagnosed her with mono after the finger prick test and sent us home with a lidocaine oral wash and nothing else. Her tonsils were extremely large with white spots all over them. She had a muffled voice and pain every time she swallowed. I have a prescription for acyclovir, and knowing that mono is the Epstein-Barr virus, I gave her half a pill of 400 mg. She went to sleep and miraculously woke up with zero white spots on her tonsils, and the inflammation went down enough that she could breathe from her nose, open her mouth to yawn without pain. It worked like a miracle, I don’t know why the medical community doesn’t put two and two together and lets people suffer with EBV sometimes for months on end."

• zol...
• May 7, 2012

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was having fever blisters come up about every 6 weeks. I started taking valacyclovir, and it would really help speed up the healing process, but I was still getting them about every 6 weeks. The V.A. started me on acyclovir, and my outbreaks have been tremendously lessened. When there is an outbreak, I usually only need to take it for 2 days."

• Seq...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2017

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I have found that acyclovir works better for me when I take pine cone extract. I believe this extract works as an adjuvant, increases the potency of this antiviral drug. I have been using this combination for several years and have had only two outbreaks in 3 years, opposed to 3-4 a year when only using acyclovir 400 mg daily. This makes me believe that the extract is working. Research suggests that certain compounds found in pine cone extract increase specific dendritic immune cells."

• Han...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 5, 2018

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "After trying a lot of different things, Acyclovir is definitely what you need to be taking ASAP. As soon as you feel any tingling at all. If you are unfortunate enough to have reached the weeping sores phase, I found the only thing to soothe the pain was salt water with black tea. Pop a tea bag in with hot, very salty water and cleanse your intimate area once cool enough. Sounds mad, but you'll thank me after!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2015

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I'm 25 years old. When I first realized something was wrong was when I felt like I had a cut down in my genital area. I then realized there was a new form of a bump, and then the itching came along and the burning sensation when I used the restroom. I decided to see the clinic because I knew something was wrong. She ran tests, which I am still waiting for to come in this week, but from what she said, it looks like herpes. She prescribed me acyclovir 400 mg this past Monday, which was two days ago. I have to take one every 12 hours. It seems to work for so long, like a few hours, but I am still feeling the pain, and I feel like more bumps have appeared. I'm terrified. I still have a burning sensation."

• Tex...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2014

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was exposed 25 years ago. When I notice a change in my vaginal secretions, sorry for being graphic, I begin taking the medication, which stops any zoster from forming after only 2 days' worth of meds. Costco has the best price in my area, and no membership is required to use the pharmacy."

• Krr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2016

Acyclovir for Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I had a sudden onset of cold sores, and a new one was appearing each day. I am on immunosuppressants, so my body just can't fight this virus on its own. After 5 days, I went to my doctor. This medication was amazing-within 24-48 hrs, the blisters were crusting over. The swelling and redness were decreasing as well. I am on 400 mg 3 x daily for 10 days. I am currently on day 6. For the first few days, I would feel lightheaded (not dizzy) for a few hours after each dose, but that has gone away now. No nausea when taken with food. I did have a few mild headaches, but that was because I was not drinking enough fluid. As soon as I hydrated, headaches were gone. My doctor gave me 2 refills, so next time I feel the onset, I can start treatment right away."

• Ems...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was diagnosed with HSV-2 six months ago. The guy I was seeing had told me before we slept together, and we always used condoms, but it was still transmitted. The first outbreak was grim and lasted for about a month, huge blisters on my thighs rendered me unable to walk. I stopped dating for a long time because I couldn't seem to control the outbreaks, and it seemed I was getting them back-to-back every week (although they never came out as full sores, just slight itching and discomfort). I started taking suppressive acyclovir (2 x 400 mg per day) after 4 months, and so far the 'outbreaks' have just been itchy with no visible sores. Though I do still get them frequently despite leading a healthy, for the most part, stress-free lifestyle. I will continue to take suppressive acyclovir for the foreseeable future to see if my body can eventually adjust to the virus."

• Slo...
• August 8, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "So I am 65 and haven’t had an outbreak for 4 years. In the past couple of days, I’ve had a burning sensation that comes and goes. It’s in a different place than I’ve ever had it. There is absolutely nothing to see, no blisters or sores. But it is so tender I’m lying around with ice on my crotch. My jean shorts were painful to the area. I have the Acyclovir on hand, but how do I know if it’s a herpes outbreak? It almost feels like it’s bruised. Again, nothing visible. Is this a giant outbreak waiting to surface? Is it harmful to take a course of it “just to be safe?”"

• Ohh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Stress is no good for people with HSV-2, it activates the virus. I’ve had a rash for about 3 months. Until I got fed up and missed seeing my privates clean and smooth, I took a trip to my gyno, and she prescribed me acyclovir twice a day, and it’s almost clearing up! On my 5th day of taking the pill."

• Cre...
• May 26, 2015

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was exposed to herpes simplex 1 genitally one year ago. My first outbreak was minor and only lasted a week with no medication and disappeared with no medication. One year later, I have a horrible outbreak, very painful, and the doctor prescribed acyclovir 400 mg 3 times a day. The medicine worked quickly and stopped itching after 1 day, sores healed after about 3-4 days. After I stopped taking the medication, I had sex, which must have irritated the area because I got another outbreak about one week later. I started taking acyclovir again, except this time I experienced unusual tiredness and nausea. I noticed that if my heart rate went up, I became short of breath and felt like fainting. I only took the drug for this outbreak for about 3-4 days."

• way...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2012

Acyclovir for Herpes Zoster "I've had shingles a total of 6 times because I am immunocompromised. Each time, it was the same area of my back and wrapping around my side to my stomach. I do not recall the first few outbreaks, as it was during a time I was so ill that I am basically missing a few months of my life because I was not alert at all during that time. I do recall the last 4 outbreaks. One of the doctors and I have a theory about why I did not notice the burning, itching, etc., that tends to be very painful and annoying for most people. The meds I am already on. I take pain meds around the clock already, as well as taking gabapentin, which helps nerve pain. Now on 200 mg/day to prevent recurrence. I don't seem to have any issues with medication taken daily."

• Ble...
• August 19, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I've been using acyclovir for some time now. Sadly, I am noticing that it takes longer to work when I am having an outbreak, and I am also noticing outbreaks in different places I never had them before. My hair is beginning to fall out, which I was never told was a side effect. I am stressing even more, having to deal with those, which is causing more frequent outbreaks."

• Dol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2013

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "My face has developed more cystic adult acne that takes longer to heal. My eye whites have a yellowish tint. I notice I bruise easily and minor injuries take a long time to heal. I have lost weight (the good part). I feel fatigued frequently and lack energy."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "If you take it right at the start of an outbreak, it works really well. The sores that have already formed will disappear in about a week, and it will completely stop any other sores from forming after the first dose. The only issue is that it makes me feel really ill. I feel nauseated all day, have diarrhea, and completely lose my appetite."

• doc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 14, 2019

Acyclovir for Cold Sores "I get cold sores mainly in the summer, my symptoms start off with dry and itchy lips, and then they start to blister and swell. I recommend if you have the same symptoms as me, then put the Zovirax on as SOON AS POSSIBLE! The cold sore feels much better as soon as it’s on, the healing begins straight away, the blister on the mouth begins to dry out, so it may feel uncomfortable. Because of this, I also use Carmex Lip Balm to keep my lips moisturized. I use Zovirax every time I get a cold sore, and they heal much faster, for me it’s a max of 4 days. Amazing product and definitely worth the money!"

• sld...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 19, 2021

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I have had this for 10 years or longer, and I wanted to let people know about Acyclovir and Valacyclovir and my experience with them both. I only read one review that mentioned this, and it's on the Valacyclovir side of reviews from 2019. So I was first given Acyclovir 200 mg, 2 pills, 3 times a day, which I really never needed to take that many to clear up my symptoms. I didn't want to take that many if I didn't need them and become used to them, because we all know how an outbreak can be. Fast forward to 6-2021, I went to my doctor for a check-up on all meds, and we discussed trying Valacyclovir 500 mg. I thought, why not? It's newer and supposed to last longer, not having to take as many pills, I was all for it. Well, if it's not broke, don't fix it, because I had a flare-up. It didn't go away, not near as good as with a dose of Acyclovir capsules. So I called and told the doctor I wanted the Acyclovir back, the other didn't work for me. So beware, newer or stronger is not always better."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

Acyclovir for Herpes Simplex (HSV) "Zovirax is my first choice for the treatment of cold sores, which I've had since I was a young girl. Using it in conjunction with Abreva helps promote healing from within the sores and eliminates the crusty/scabbing that comes with cold sores. Abreva is best used at the first sign of any itching (that familiar feeling of onset). Apply as directed on the bottle, and your cold sore will be gone without anyone noticing you even have one. I am just getting over one, and with Abreva alone, it took three days, no scabbing or crusty formation making it unsightly and causing embarrassment."