Acyclovir for Herpes Simplex (HSV) User Reviews (Page 3)

• TDa...
• July 17, 2009

Acyclovir "Been on Zovirax for 15 years. It barely worked when I started using it for genital outbreaks, absolutely does not work now. Three prescriptions of 800 mg x 3 times per day have not slowed down or even put a dent in a 4-month-long outbreak."

• Sen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 21, 2015

"In my 70's now, thanks to my ex-wife who gave me herpes 10 years ago, I have to take acyclovir every day for the past 10 years. If I don't, I will have a breakout if I skip a day. I am more fortunate than others. I get my sores on my lower back only. The outbreaks are rare but are brought on by stress. Wish there was an alternative, but none have been proven to work."

• bum...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2020

"Started taking this after an outbreak. Thought the first one was just irritation from a wax. Realized after that second time it happened that it was definitely herpes and triggered by bikini waxing. Now take this daily to suppress and have not had an outbreak since (over a year). Have found it definitely has caused me to have increased sweating at night, which is annoying, but otherwise no issues."

• hap...
• December 29, 2010

"I've had outbreaks on my lips for over 25 years. At the age of 30, I'm told to try taking a pill at the first sign, only couldn't find a doctor to prescribe me any until AFTER I broke out so they could SEE I actually had one. Finally, I found a doctor, and now I take 200 mg every third night and a full 400 mg if I even think I'm getting a sore. So far, so good, no outbreaks in 3 years. Love it. No side effects either!"

• Smi...
• December 1, 2015

"I love this medication. I've always used Abreva but decided to get a prescription because Abreva took forever to kick in. I recently had an outbreak because of stress at work. It started with one blister. I put the ointment on, and it went away in 24 hours with a minimal scab. I then had another outbreak 2 days after. This one also went away immediately with a minimal scab. The same weekend, I got a bad outbreak where my lip swelled up as well. I applied the ointment at night. The next day by 6 pm, the swelling was gone and the blisters became a tiny scab. I LOVE this ointment."

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2016

"I am 19 years old, and I just got diagnosed this 2 days ago. Someone took advantage because I was drunk, he began stroking, and I jumped up about 2 minutes into it. He was a creep all the way around, but that's the only person I could've gotten it from, and I'm positive about that. Now I can't get in contact with the boy, and my life is torn apart. I honestly am so upset about this because this pain is so unbearable. It hurts, burns, and itches to stand up, sit down, walk, etc. When I urinate, it burns super bad, and I am in misery. I can't deal with this for the rest of my life. I haven't even been showering because it burns so bad. I just started the meds 400 mg/8 hrs, no progress yet, though. Any suggestions?"

• Smi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2012

"I have been taking Acyclovir for almost 2 years now. I believe it to work because I've only had 1 outbreak in the 2 years. I was given the option to take 200 mg every 4 hours (equals 5 a day) for 5 days when an outbreak occurs or to take it every day, but I have only taken it for the 1 outbreak."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2011

"I'm 25, and I've always had cold sores in my mouth since I was 4, and it can happen with sun or eating citrus. It's only getting worse now that I have braces, so my orthodontist told me about this pill and my doctor gave it to me, and I love it, EXCEPT I get a headache, fatigue, dizziness, and joint pain... but it's totally worth it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

"This is the only thing that works for my stress-induced breakouts (college). I use both the pills and the cream. I believe when I first started using acyclovir, it was more effective, and now it can take a good 4-5 days to fully heal. This is nothing in comparison to a cold sore that lasted a month without the meds, though! 400 mg. Free with my healthcare for the pills, the cream was $25."

• Hor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2020

"I was prescribed this medication, and it did work. Years later, I'm still battling with this virus. I never gave it to anyone. Anytime I feel discomfort, I call my doctor to send a script to the pharmacy. I have had an outbreak on different parts of my vagina and by my anus and mouth. The ones that come by my vulva or anus are the worst, especially when I urinate. I always have that cup of water to pour while I urinate so it wouldn't burn. I'm having an outbreak now. I've been feeling this itch and painful feeling that got me up. I took a pill about 30 minutes ago. I can honestly tell you I'm feeling the medication kick in. My pill is 500 mg. I try to keep some on hand for times like this. My doctor is close."

• Ano...
• March 29, 2017

"About 5 days ago, I realized a cut, I thought I had cut myself while shaving. It then got very uncomfortable and burned while I urinated. Finally, I took my camera down there and wanted to look. I noticed a few more cuts that looked like canker sores, so I made an appointment right away. She told me it looked like genital herpes. She gave me the cream and the pills. It's only been a day, and it doesn't feel like it's working. I know it's soon, but I still feel like I'm on fire, I'm itchy, and it still burns like crazy. Is there anything else I can do?"

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2016

"I've been diagnosed with this about 2, maybe 3 weeks ago. My boyfriend gave it to me, I found out when he had a breakout. The night before we had sex, we both went to the ER to find out what's wrong. I have not had a breakout, was on the 5 pills a day thing, but my body couldn't handle it, so the doctor put me on the pill I time a day. Idk what's going on, but now I can't pee. I've been trying to pee for 14 hours. It feels like I have to go, then when I sit on the toilet, nothing but a few drops come out."

• Zov...
• February 19, 2018

"For the last year, I've been plagued with severe cold sore/herpes outbreaks around my lips, chin, and nose. A never-ending cycle of breakout, heal, breakout. After one day of using the cream and Acyclovir, the large bump on the side of my lip flattened to the point of not noticing it. Day six and I haven't seen my face look this clear in years. One little teeny whitehead popped up last night below my lip, but you can't tell it's a herpes sore. It kind of seemed like a final whimper. If I could rate prior breakouts as a 10 for worst-case scenario, this little guy would be a 1. And I'd even thank someone for it. One last thing, if you're insured, look around for community health centers, call them, and ask for a low-cost pharmacy to fill your prescription. I've read online that the same Zovirax cream prescription goes for $200, and Acyclovir anywhere from $80-200. I paid $100 for both. Do some research!"

• JBa...
• January 25, 2019

"When using oral and cream at onset, gets rid of them fast. But remember, this oral stuff is really bad on the liver. If outbreaks are like a few times a year, not to worry. If down in Mexico, can get for a fraction of the cost compared to in the States."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

"I went to the doctor today, and they looked in the back of my throat. There were white, irritated pockets in it. There were sores on my upper lip, on my bottom lip, and the roof of my mouth. Of course, I thought it was strep throat, so the doctor gave me a strep test, and it came back negative. He said it was a form of herpes, a viral canker sore infection. So he prescribed me acyclovir 200 mg. I take 2 capsules 3 times a day for 5 days, and it should clear it up."

• sup...
• February 19, 2016

"I have been taking generic (cheap) acyclovir for 52 years. I am 67 and contracted the herpes simplex while out in the sun at age 15. Consequently, I have not been sunbathing for 52 years and look like I am 50. There have been no side effects, and I take this every day-800 mg. When I stop, I get an outbreak. Tried to go off it last year and had 5 outbreaks in 4 months. So now back on. Take it the minute I feel a tingle, 5 a day for 5 days and no problems. But still wear 70 sunscreen."

• Gre...
• October 31, 2020

"I think it worked okay. Within 3 days, my breakout was gone. But I don't like that you have to take it 3 times daily for a week straight, then keep taking it for prevention if you get breakouts because I forget half the time. It makes me really sick if I don't eat, and I have celiac disease, so if you can't eat much like I can't, this isn't the right kind for you. Because it's not the right one for me, and the pill itself is huge, looks like a dungeon and dragon symbol."

• Lil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 1, 2022

"I am 65 years old, and I have had genital herpes since I was 30. Acyclovir helps if I take it as soon as I feel the pain, 400 mg, 3 times a day. I didn't get it for years, but a few days ago, I could recognize the tingling. I phoned my doctor, and she sent the prescription straight away to the chemist. On my third day, it helps straight away, but the side effects are that I am feeling very tired and sleepy during the day. I suppose having an outbreak would be worse."

• Not...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 22, 2017

"I’ve been having cold sores since I was 12 on my lips and face. I tried everything, and nothing would work. My doctor prescribed me this when he realized how serious it was. I was getting them sometimes one right after the other! I’m supposed to take one gram a day, but I found that when I did that, I still got them frequently. So I only take it when I feel a tingle, I take about 4, and it never comes out. What sucks is when I don’t get the tingle, and I just wake up with a full-blown sore/sores. Overall, medicine really helps, though! Completely free with my insurance as well!"

• Inf...
• April 4, 2017

"At 29 weeks pregnant, I had a fever. Thought I was leaking amniotic fluid. Went to the hospital and was misdiagnosed with a UTI. Stayed overnight with IVF and antibiotics, and checked, monitored, and had an ultrasound before being discharged the following day. Twenty-four hours later, still not feeling well, went back to the hospital and was rechecked. Water broke, dilated to 2, and the doctor said she didn't think of it before, but was going to test and treat me for genital herpes. Right after the emergency C-section."

• lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2016

"Can anybody tell me how to deal with a red, swollen eye with blurred vision 5 days after stopping using Zovirax eye ointment? Could anybody also tell me how to stop falling asleep while taking acyclovir tablets? I find this drug debilitating and will go to see an optician about my virus."

• Som...
• January 13, 2016

"I have breakouts on my nose. I used to dance and thought it would be cute to bend down while on stage and brush the nose with mine. That turned out not so good, I wish I wasn't so naive. I've been living with them for about 6 years, and when they came out with Sitavig, that's really good. I only break out about every 2 years, when stressed or if it's really hot."

• SDR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2015

"I started with feeling like I had a cut in my genital area at first, was tested at urgent care for herpes (the doctor said it doesn't look like herpes). He came back telling me I had herpes two days later. I was then explained I have genital herpes, went to my gyn and was told I don't have genital herpes but herpes simplex. I was prescribed this drug and have never had an outbreak on my mouth before, and so far I have had three oral outbreaks while taking 400 mg twice daily. Within 23 days of use... I want to try taking 400 mg in the morning and 800 mg at night now because this is not helping me. Haven't had any breakouts anywhere else though. Now my boyfriend has a cold sore as well. I need more than this."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

"I found out on Tuesday that I have herpes. Went to many doctors before I got diagnosed with herpes. Started itching in 2014. Didn't know what it was, but can someone give me some advice on how to rid myself of it?"

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2020

"My child caught a rash on her skin. I don’t know where she came in contact with it. We had been on vacation, and she was swimming. It comes back often, every two months. It stays longer when acyclovir is used. I used the cream and the oral liquid, and the outbreak lasted for a long time, and it comes back as soon as treatment stops. I’m currently trying essential oils, and it clears up faster, but I don’t know about the recurrences yet."