Famciclovir and Swelling: What Users Say

• Eq2...
• January 28, 2015

For Cold Sores "I get at least three cold sores a year, usually around wintertime. Now I get the pills prescribed by my doctor and have extra on hand to take when I first see signs of cold sores. I never catch it at the tingling stage, so I can only review what it does after taking it when blisters are already formed. My symptoms would last 10-14 days without this med. It goes swollen and painful and gross too. But with this med, I only get a red patch for 3-4 days, and then it's gone. It's amazing!"

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

For Cold Sores "Went to the chemist and purchased the tablets within 10 mins of feeling the symptoms, took them within 15 mins - I was really happy I could get onto it straight away. But through the night, I felt my lip start to swell and my skin become sensitive on my neck, face, and scalp like it usually does. I started using the patches on my lip the next day, hoping to slow it down, but nothing has worked - back to Zovirax now, hoping this huge monster will disappear sooner rather than later! I thought the tablets were going to be my savior. I am wondering if I should've applied the cream at the same time I took the tablets?"

• 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."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2023

For Cold Sores "Woke up with the 'tingle.' I took 1000 mg right away. Within hours, the tingle had subsided. I took another 500 mg about 8 hours later. So far, it has not gotten to the 'full-blown' stage. I just have redness and slight swelling. My lymph nodes have not yet started to swell, and the tingling and burning sensation are only at 5% of what I normally have. I have slight nausea but nothing I can't deal with. So far, I'm very pleased with the effectiveness and grateful I had it on hand."