Famciclovir and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Hay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2019

For Cold Sores "Had 2 cold sores on my lip, Dr. and chemist recommended taking Elovax (famciclovir 500 mg) 3 tablet dose. Within 30 minutes of taking it, I started to have severe heart palpitations, severe diarrhea, nausea, and restlessness. After a few hours, I started to get a headache, within 5 hours, my headache had become unbearable and I was rushed to the hospital. Placed on 2 drips and monitored for a few hours. Over the next few days, I am still unwell with stomach pains and a headache. My cold sores did improve BUT NEVER, NEVER AGAIN... DID I MENTION NEVER AGAIN... My experience was awful. I would not recommend taking this medication and wish I hadn't."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2011

For Herpes Zoster "Side effects were serious enough to warrant a concurrent dose of prednisone. Condition was shingles, upper left body quadrant. Welts, blisters, itching, pain. One week on the medicine was insufficient to clear it up. Side effects included persistent headache, nausea, diarrhea, and serious swelling/itching on the palms of my hands."

• Jmo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2021

For Herpes Zoster "I’m a 50-year-old female. My rash started off being itchy and red, then pus-like rash. My dermatologist prescribed Valtrex. The shingles were located in the middle of my forehead. After taking 4 tablets, my whole face swelled up, especially around my eyes, with evident swollen glands on both sides of my cheeks and the neck area, with shortness of breath. Told my doctor, then he prescribed Famvir. I took 1 tablet, my face started to swell up again after an hour of taking it, this time slightly worse than the first. My lips started to swell, so I took antihistamine. So, no good experience from these antiviral meds for me, unfortunately. I did some research and found Lysine tablets, which helped alongside antibiotics, Ibilex. Eventually, I had to stop taking Ibilex after 3 days because of diarrhea and upset stomach. Now, day 7, only on Lysine, vitamin B, C, and zinc tablets to help me through. The rash is still slightly sore and red with black scabs. Luckily, it didn’t spread."