Acyclovir and Fatigue: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• pop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2022

For Herpes Zoster "I have been taking acyclovir 800 mg 5 times per day for 8 days for shingles (2 days more to go). I had a headache and nausea for the first couple of days taking this. The headache went away, but I still feel nauseated most of the time. I am also lightheaded, and the dizziness increases when I walk around at all. I feel very fatigued. Sometimes I have felt really agitated, like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. It has caused frequent bowel movements and some diarrhea. Between the shingles pain and the side effects, I am nearly housebound. I've been sick for a month (the rash didn't appear for 3 weeks). I'm at the end of my rope and cannot wait to get off this drug. I had shingles 8 months ago and couldn't tolerate the valacyclovir then - now that it's returned, my doctor insists I must take this to get the virus out of my system. I pray that it works. I am 64 and small build (110 pounds). I do tend to be sensitive to drug side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2011

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "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!"

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

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "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."