Valacyclovir User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• jc2...
• February 10, 2017

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I have been taking Valtrex as a suppression for 2 years right after my initial HSV2 outbreak, which was the worst pain of my life, urinary retention, had to wear a catheter. I refuse to come off this drug because it scared the living heck out of me. I never want to go through that ever again. Valtrex is my savior drug. My gyno put me on it right after the initial. Cleared me up fast, and I have zero side effects (I literally don't even know I've taken the drug). I asked if I can stay on it, as I am more terrified of getting anything like my initial outbreak. Since I have been on Valtrex, I have not had any outbreaks, but 1 little sore per year will pop up. I even skip days sometimes, but if I do, I have this constant itch. Keeps HSV2 away."

• Fir...
• December 15, 2016

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "First time using Valtrex (generic) after mixed results with every single treatment out there. First sign was a very small red bump at 9 pm, missed the tingle stage. Took 2 1g tablets and started using ice to not let it grow. Fell asleep around 11 pm and applied some tea tree oil. Woke up to almost nothing. Small red mark that was not raised or tender. Unnoticeable. Forgotten by the next day. Worth every penny."

• 52y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2015

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "Awesome results. I rarely have cold sores. Roughly one every 2-3 years. Never have had ANY relief from various home remedies or OTC solutions. Cold sore forms in the same place on the upper lip just below my mustache, which can be confused in the initial stages with an ingrown hair/pimple. The difference being that hair doesn't form on the lips! Ha. Outbreak swells quickly within 2 days to a nickel-sized dimension with an actual open sore (yellow/white) 1/3 the size. I took 2 doses of 2 mg 12 hours apart after swelling had started. A small yellow outline was already forming under the skin of the lip, and I thought I was going to have another 2-week episode. Woke up this morning, and the swelling was down and yellow gone! Really amazing!"

• muc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2016

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I am pregnant and found out I had genital herpes on New Year's Eve from my boyfriend giving me oral sex with a cold sore on his lip. It burned so bad when I went pee. I had painful blisters and bumps and awful itching with a nasty discharge and swelling. OB-GYN gave me Valtrex 1 gm to take twice a day. On day one, the painful swelling I had in my labia went down a lot. By day two, the burning was gone and the big blisters went down until they were super small. The itching also got a lot better. Day three, blisters and bumps scabbed over. It's now day four and all I had left is dried-up tiny scabs over where two of the blisters were and they don't hurt at all. Bumps are gone. Basically, my vagina looks and feels almost normal again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 10, 2014

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "I have had cold sores for my entire life. When I was a baby, I used to get them in and around my eyes, which was a terrifying experience for my parents, as I could have lost my sight. I was prescribed Valtrex after I had reached the beginning stages of puberty, and it is absolutely amazing! If you take it right when you feel the tingle, the cold sore will not even appear, and if you take it when the blisters have just formed, they will not worsen. And for those who have a fully formed monster cold sore, never fear! Valtrex will shorten the healing time drastically, for me about 3 days."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2019

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was prescribed 500 mg of valacyclovir, one tablet per day. It worked, the sores stopped. However, I am now experiencing several side effects, such as headache, dark circles under my eyes, stomach pains, nausea, drastically reduced energy levels, bloated stomach, acid reflux, and not my normal self. I am not taking this pill anymore! I’ll have to find a safer alternative. Not a good medication for me."

• Bar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 19, 2015

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "I take Valtrex on a semi-regular basis to help my immune system. For example, I take one per day, plus vitamin D, and never get a cold sore. I did this for six months so I wouldn't have one at my daughter's wedding! They always appear when I am stressed or in the sun. I still take them a few times a week and use an SPF sunscreen every day, which helps a lot. It can be expensive, but I will pay anything if it works, forget the over-the-counter stuff."

• Joy...
• April 11, 2015

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "This medication is amazing! My doctor prescribed it to me because of the anxiety/depression I had from getting my first cold sore. I went to a baseball game (cold and windy), got drunk, and the next day I felt a bump on my lip. I took 4 pills (500 mg) immediately, then another 4 pills 12 hours later. The sore never progressed, and after a few hours, the bump was gone! You MUST take them at the first sign of the sore for them to work!! There were no side effects. These pills are expensive but worth keeping 8 of them on you at all times. They helped me. I hope this helps someone!"

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

Valacyclovir for Herpes Zoster "Discovered rash on a Thursday, prescribed Valtrex on a Friday. Woke up Saturday and rash was still spreading but stopped by that night and began to dry up by Tuesday - no blisters ever formed and itching/pain was very minimal! Side effects only the first day or so, but not positive it was from Valtrex - the sickness/headaches I felt could've easily been from my anxiety. By the third day, any side effects subsided completely and had no issues finishing the medication. After reading stories of shingles sufferers who did not take antivirals, I am so happy my doctor prescribed this medication. Also, a suggestion, Burow's solution (sold as Domeboro in most pharmacies) helped soothe and dry up my rash quickly! Keep your head up!"

• Try...
• December 18, 2019

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I think I’ve had it for a while because, for months, I was experiencing terrible clitoral pain, and my gyno tested my blood and the clitoris. Nothing came back, but I would always feel an itchy and burning feeling at night. The beginning of last week, I experienced my first outbreak. I took this whole bottle, qty 14, and I’ve been getting more sores. I have no itchiness, mostly painful, and I’ve been so depressed. I haven’t gone to work and just have been staying in bed. I’ve been on antidepressants for a year now, and I’m scared for my future. I have two people that are close to me who have it, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to about it, but I just want this breakout to end."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I am in my late 50s and was just diagnosed with HSV2; my OBGYN prescribed me Valtrex; and my outbreak lasted about 2 months!!! I quit taking the Valtrex two weeks ago and started taking L-LYSINE after some research not available on Google as they are owned by big pharma now... The Valtrex made me so depressed and short-tempered with insomnia. Who the hell can live with that? And, the virus thrives off the stress hormone, so why not give me some Valtrex to make me crazy and just flip out and add another 6 months of OB time to it!? Say no to Big Pharma cheats and liars like the makers of Valtrex, it's a shame doctors don't advise on diet and holistic first; before trying this terrible drug. DON'T TAKE, do your homework!!! Reduced the amount of arginine-rich foods you are eating, e.g., chocolate, eggs, and nuts. Don't trust your doctors; they get payback from big pharma."

• Ant...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2021

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "To those of you struggling with antivirals, you are not crazy! Antivirals can actually make things worse for some people, myself included. I've had HSV2 for 4 years now and just recently decided to start taking Acyclovir daily to lower the chances of transmission to my new partner. This has been the worst two weeks of my life. I've experienced constant nausea and headaches. I also have been having prodrome symptoms that will not go away. Prior to this, I never even thought about my herpes. My last partner, who is negative, had unprotected sex for 2 years without me being on antivirals. We just avoided sex whenever I started experiencing prodrome symptoms, which was only maybe 2-3 times per year. My body really doesn't like pharmaceutical drugs, and I always have the worst side effects no matter what it is. I'm going to continue to take the natural approach because I can't imagine taking those horrible pills that cause the worst nerve pain ever for the rest of my life."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2019

For Herpes Zoster "I am one week shy of my 50th birthday. Shingles appeared on my left torso and abdomen. I was prescribed Valacyclovir HCL 1 gram tablet 3 times a day for a week. As someone that is severely emetophobic, I am terrified to take any prescription drug. I already take too many for various issues. Of course, the internet makes it worse when you read about the side effects. I am happy to report that I have had ZERO side effects on this medication. Nothing! My shingles started to go away on day three, and it is now day five. I still have them, but the medication is working! No question! I think what helps with side effects is that I take this with 24 oz (3 cups) of water. I was told to take this with a lot of water. I am so relieved to have this going away. It is really debilitating!"

• Joh...
• April 25, 2016

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I've been using Valtrex for suppression and have not had an outbreak in 1.5 years using it. It's a lifesaver. Hoping to take it daily for the rest of my life. If anyone has been taking it daily for suppression, please chime in, I wanted to know if it has affected anyone in a bad way. I did read one review where someone was using it daily as a suppression for 14 years, and it worked, and he didn't have an outbreak once, but he ended up getting an allergic reaction and had to stop using it. What a bummer! But yes, Valtrex is a lifesaver."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2017

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was diagnosed with HSV-1 and HSV-2 around my buttocks about a year and a half ago. Ever since my initial outbreak, I've been taking 500 mg of Valtrex daily. I've never experienced any side effects -- I also take birth control and drink regularly. I've never experienced a full outbreak since the initial one. Sometimes when I go out of town, I'm not great about taking meds, and I'll feel symptoms coming on after a few days of missing it, so I'll take 1 g for a couple of days, and then that makes it go away. I don't *think* I have a severe case -- the initial outbreak was extremely uncomfortable, but immediately after taking meds, the pain went away, followed by the blisters healing. Quick recovery with Valtrex -- I doubt I'll ever go off!"

• Doc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2016

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "You guys, this medication deserves some kind of award. I have this random patch of HSV-1 on my eyebrow. It flares up a couple of times a year. Previously, I have been prescribed acyclovir for breakouts. I wasn't too convinced it really did anything at all, but maybe it reduced my breakout time by half a day. This time, I happened to have a doctor's appointment that fell on day 3 of a breakout, so I mentioned that I wanted some acyclovir to help. My doctor said that was an older medication, and Valtrex was newer and better, so he gave me that. WITHIN 24 HOURS, THE BLISTERS ARE NO LONGER BLISTERS AT ALL AND I AM HEALING. They did not burst, they just totally regressed. I took 2 2g pills twice a day for one day. This is a miracle drug. 10/10."

• And...
• July 29, 2015

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "When I first contracted genital herpes (24 years ago), I was devastated. I suffered continuous outbreaks for several months until seeking medical advice. Acyclovir gave me back my life, severely reduced the occurrences and severity to a manageable level. Valtrex came along, and I now take it instead of Acyclovir (no noticeable difference other than having to take fewer tablets). I have tried suppressive and intermittent, and both have worked for me. I tend to take the medicine when I have an occurrence as I don't want the virus to become resistant to it. These drugs are a lifesaver. For what it's worth, I have found that chocolate will trigger an outbreak for me. I've virtually given it up and reckon it's a small price to pay for no symptoms."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2018

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was diagnosed with HSV-1 genitally and on the face. Just started on Valtrex, within a short time, blisters started eating up. Mind you, I do get a horrible stinging pain down below, thought it was a UTI, but lab results proved otherwise. I'm struggling with dealing with the news, as HSV-1 down below is unusual to have. Anyone know of any great support groups? I'm in Perth, haven't been able to find any locally."

• ano...
• June 3, 2015

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was notified last January 2014 that I had HSV2. I went into such a deep depression that I truly wanted to give up. I begged for a second test to confirm it. The doctor refused to test me again and said that she was positive that the test was positive and showed me the papers. I still was in denial for quite some time. The doctor gave me Valtrex 500 milligrams and told me to take one every day. Needless to say, I took it for 30 days and stopped and never had an outbreak until just a few days ago, which confirmed that I was positive. I immediately began taking my medicine. Although it can be very uncomfortable while at work because I do sit down and get in and out of trucks constantly. This medicine has truly kept my outbreak under control."

• Kim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 16, 2018

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I was diagnosed with HSV-2 in 2001 after having sex for the first time. I was in so much pain and suffered from urinary retention and had to wear a catheter for about 2 months. I was so embarrassed and depressed. My partner accused me of giving him the virus; however, I was a virgin. I take Valtrex prn, and luckily I only have one to two outbreaks a year that last about 3 days and include one to two small blisters. No more urinary retention. I just wish I would have questioned my partner sooner related to a history of STDs."

• Sue...
• September 19, 2020

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I got herpes 2 from a guy who said he was STD-free and even showed me his results. But of course, no herpes results as they don't test for it routinely, it's only accurate when you have an outbreak. I got my tests and all clear. But this guy had herpes, and he did not tell me. Cruel and unusual and malicious thing to do. He knowingly gave me herpes. He knew he had it. He told me afterwards. I have been in constant pain for months. Valtrex seems to work. I may have to take it permanently as I just can't stand the agony anymore. So much pain."

• hsv...
• March 11, 2014

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "Valtrex is truly the only cold sore medication that will act fast and diminish your pain and blisters within days. You will start feeling relief in hours. No other cold sore medication can compete. The only downside is you have to get a prescription for it. Depending on your insurance, it could be fair to pricey. If you are like me and suffer from HSV 1 & 2, ask your doctor for 30-60 tablets. Most doctors will only prescribe the recommended dosage for treatment (5 tablets) with 1 refill. It's such a pain having to go back to doctors when you have a simple outbreak. This will ensure a good supply for whenever you might need it. Always works FASTEST when taken at the first sign of sore."

• NoR...
• November 11, 2013

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Mucocutaneous/Immunocompromised Host "I was infected with HSV-2 about two weeks ago in the genital area, pubic area to be exact. Only took 2 days before typical symptoms showed, but I waited 4 days before going to the ER, thinking the OB was folliculitis. I was prescribed Valtrex 1 g 2 times a day for ten days. After 2.5 days, I noticed that the herpes stopped spreading and the pain was gone. After 5 days, it was already healing/drying up. After 10 days, it is almost completely healed, with a few scabs left. This drug is very effective, but you have to take it on time every 12 hours or as instructed by your doctor. Side effects were fatigue, dry skin, dry eyes/slight redness at times, mood swings, hives, and sleeplessness."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Did not work, actually seemed to make it worse, if that's even possible. Also, had the worst side effects - made me incredibly tired. Acyclovir works better for me, but I'm still getting multiple outbreaks a month (short-lived) while on suppressive therapy. I can see I'm not the only one. If anyone reads this, I've read about a possible therapeutic vaccine that's actually going to hold human clinical trials in the UK soon. To push for more therapies or vaccine studies, we have to reach out to government officials insisting that there be more effective treatments. Either the virus has become more virulent or the drugs have become less potent...who knows."

• Joa...
• April 12, 2017

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "This drug has been 100% effective. I first started taking 500 mg and had just had mild outbreaks, decided to up the dose to 1 mg a day and had no outbreaks since then. Highly recommend taking it for those who experience more than 12 outbreaks a year."