Famciclovir and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2008

Famciclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Famvir works the best. I have a lot less breakouts, and when one is coming on, I take it, and it is gone within a day. I don't have any side effects like I did with the others (headaches and breakouts). It is worth the money."

• 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."

• red...
• February 9, 2015

For Cold Sores "I rarely get a cold sore (normally once every two or three years), but when I do, they are mostly quite large and last for at least a week. So when one popped up in the morning and had already started to blister, I went to the chemist straight away. He suggested I try this (1500 mg, one dose). Wow, did it work, cut the time in half and scabbed a lot quicker. I continued using cream as well. Only downside was on the day of medication I felt quite drowsy and had a mild, nagging headache until the next morning. But so worth it. I will be taking this every time from now on!"

• ita...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2021

Famciclovir for Herpes Simplex, Mucocutaneous/Immunocompetent Host "I use Famvir since 2018. Usually 2x500 per 3/4 days and then 1x500 for other 2/3 days depending on the severity. It should be taken immediately and greatly shortens the healing time but causes tiredness, agitation, and headache. Avoid the sun. I use it for genital herpes that I have had for 20 years, 11 on the buttocks. I hope for better medicine with fewer other problems, but this helps a lot."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2020

For Cold Sores "First time I took it, I got an intense headache, but I figured it was worth it to prevent a cold sore. But the second time, I had horrible heart palpitations. I felt dizzy and weak, and it was so unpleasant I will never take it again."

• 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."

• Ela...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

Famciclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Dr. ordered tests, which revealed Epstein Barr, Parvovirus, and Herpes Virus (forgot the number). He put me on 500 mg, 3 times a day. I’ve only been on it for three months, so I don’t know effectiveness. I had genital herpes outbreaks fifteen years ago for about a year, but none since. I started the medication and had severe headaches that went away after three weeks. No other side effects."

• Syd...
• May 4, 2019

For Cold Sores "I just wanted to comment about the 3 tablets for cold sores. (Elovax one dose) I took the meds on Friday night, and now it's Sunday. I have had a throbbing headache and nausea all weekend. I am too unwell to go out. In the past, I did not receive these side effects. My cold sore tingle has passed, but I'm not sure that these side effects are truly worth it. I'm going to look for natural treatment going forward."

• She...
• June 14, 2020

For Cold Sores "I woke up with a cold sore on the corner of my lips. Went to the chemist and they gave me this one dose, 3 tablets. I took it at 1 pm. 30 minutes later, my heart started racing and I felt awful. I drank a big glass of water, which helped a little. 2 hours later, I developed a headache. By night, I felt better but still have heart pounding from time to time. I suffer from irregular heartbeat myself, and to experience this on top wasn’t nice. I don’t think I will take this ever again and will use cold sore cream instead next time."

• R_S...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2017

For Cold Sores "Itching started Wednesday around midday, however, I mistakenly thought it was due to a pimple I had popped. That evening, the itching got worse and the area (corner of my mouth, bottom lip) started getting red - I knew it was a cold sore. I took the 3 tablets before bed and was afraid it may have been too late. Thursday, I woke up with a slight headache, assumed it was the drugs fighting the outbreak. Friday and Saturday, you could see a small blister, a little red, but it wasn't getting much bigger. By Sunday afternoon, it was disappearing and today (Monday morning) it's almost gone. Relief! Next time, I won't hesitate and will take it as soon as I feel the itch! Had I not taken them, I assume I'd have developed an ugly cold sore that would've lasted till next weekend."

• Luk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2022

For Cold Sores "100% recommend if you suffer from cold sores. I've suffered from them since my early teens (now 31), and boy, I wish I had these when I was younger, it would have saved myself so many bad photos at school and embarrassment in public. Only downsides for me were that I had a headache that day, but anyone that suffers from cold sores would take that any day over ugly 1-2 week cold sores. Basically, it skips the entire blistering, itchy, ugly phase, and by the next day after taking the med, it skips straight to the healing phase. Heals quicker too. It makes sure it doesn't spread, basically stops the cold sore in its tracks, and you'll 100% notice the difference the day after taking it. I recommend keeping one in the house so when you feel the tingle, you can take it straight away. If you take this med on the first day, I recommend to also ice the cold sore on day 1, and on day 2, you'll be really happy with the total results. Not that you need ice, but for me, it works really well in combo with this med."

• For...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2024

For Cold Sores "I used famciclovir at the first sign of a cold sore, it was great in preventing the cold sore from progressing, and 24 hours after taking the medication the cold sore was small and dry. However, the medication made me so sick. It gave me one of the worst headaches I have ever experienced, which lasted 2 days. I was vomiting, lightheaded, and extremely tired. Effectiveness was great. Side effects were horrible."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2011

Famciclovir for Cold Sores "Causes major headaches for me."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2016

For Cold Sores "Took 3 tablets (1,500 mg) before my lip blistered, right at the first tingle, but I still got 2 cold sores. Meds gave me a headache and a stomach ache. Waste of money because it didn't work for me."