Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression User Reviews (Page 4)

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

Valacyclovir "Absolutely brilliant drug, tried everything to calm this horrible disease over the last 6 years. Started taking Valtrex for the last few months and feel amazing again, all the tingling and outbreaks have gone."

• jay...
• November 26, 2015

Valacyclovir "Wow, I get maybe 2 or 3 cold sores a year, and in my line of work, I can't afford to look bad. So I had a very bad cold sore on my upper lip, worst I've had, my lip swelled to 2x normal size. I've never been to a doctor for a cold sore before, but I was desperate. I was prescribed Valtrex, and within 2 days, this mother of a cold sore is literally disappearing. Amazing! This is the first time I have posted anything online, but I felt I had to say how good this drug is! I won't look back, no more over-the-counter crap for me."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2010

Valacyclovir "I have been having more outbreaks (stress, depression, weight gain, PCOS), so I am on 1 gram of Valtrex a day as suppression. I started with an ulcer in my mouth and lip swelling, so I took 2 pills today, and poof - almost gone. I have no side effects from the medication. I am happy there is a generic now that is much cheaper. I just hate that it is a big pill, and that is the only reason I don't rate the medication a 10."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2021

Valacyclovir "Herpes is not a one-size-fits-all issue, so find your pattern and stick to it! I take Valtrex, but I also implemented taking lysine because Valtrex alone was not getting the job done. I take 1 Valtrex every other day for suppressing and 2 lysine every other day...found that this pattern kept outbreaks away."

• Why...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2021

Valacyclovir "I was diagnosed with HSV-2 in February with an outbreak, one single blister (I guess I got lucky with that). I took Valtrex for 10 days, and the blister went away. I started 500 mg suppression therapy immediately following my last regular dose. A month and a half later (fast forward to the end of March), I got another breakout. I am also using Lysine. My question is, has anyone who has been using this drug lost their sense of taste, either partially or fully? I've noticed my sense of taste has been altered. I recently got tested for COVID, and it was negative. I’m trying to figure out if my partial loss of taste is from using the Valtrex. Would love to hear from you if this has happened to you."

• its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2016

Valacyclovir "I've had HSV-1 (cold sores) for the past 10 years with a flare-up, in what seems, every 3-4 years, so daily prevention was never a big deal to me. At first, I'd just hit it with some Abreva and toss a Band-Aid to cover the unsightliness, and in about 3 weeks, it would go away. My last flare-up, I went to the medic who got me some acyclovir. Honestly, taking acyclovir did seem to shorten the duration, but my sores still lasted 2 weeks. This recent flare-up, my doc prescribed me 1 gram of Valtrex, and the blisters appear to be healing after day 3, not week 3. Awesome stuff."

• uni...
• July 16, 2011

Valacyclovir "I was introduced to Valtrex for HSV2 suppression in mid-2000 after surgery to my groin. The outbreak was the worst I had experienced in the 20 years that I'd suffered. The daily 500 mg treatment worked immediately in clearing up the outbreak, and much more importantly, I've been outbreak-free since then to the posting of this note, July 2011. I'm a believer. Now the VA has changed my prescription of Valtrex, once a day, to Acyclovir, 400 mg twice a day. I'm fervently hoping the suppressive qualities I've enjoyed with Valtrex remain... keeping my fingers crossed."

• cra...
• January 21, 2016

Valacyclovir "As soon as you get your first outbreak, you need to start taking this immediately. The outbreak will only get worse without it and last for weeks. My first outbreak was heart-wrenching. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But once I started taking the medicine, my symptoms rapidly improved. I probably get less than one outbreak a year, but when I do have one, I take this immediately, and it knocks it right out."

• goo...
• June 4, 2011

Valacyclovir "I took Valtrex once last week for 7 days, 3 x a day during the outbreak (oral), and wow, I caught it right in time. I actually felt tingling right before and took Valtrex, and the next morning, there it was. Immediately took 500 mg, 3 x a day. It worked so well with almost zero side effects, at least for me. I have had HSV-1 since 6/08, and now I've got this oral for life. Anyway, I started 3 days ago on suppressive therapy, 500 mg x 1 a day, and I take it at bedtime-same time every night, because it does make me sleepy, so night is perfect for me. Unfortunately, I have 2 dental appointments coming up soon, and that usually triggers an outbreak. I'm anxious to see if it works."

• Wha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

"Found out about 12 years ago I had genital herpes. Luckily, it was never bad for me. One or two blisters once or twice a year. Then, for the last two years, only one blister once. Was married and recently divorced. Never went on suppressive therapy till two months ago, just in case. Since starting valacyclovir, I’ve had a breakout every other week. And though still not bad, one or two blisters, they seem to be getting increasingly worse. Very unhappy. On 500 mg a day, and it is making it worse. Definitely calling and switching."

• ONT...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2017

"I don't tend to write reviews, but this medication has been such a blessing. It is a horrible feeling knowing that you have this STI, but I just keep reminding myself that it is so common. I have been on this medication since July 2016. I was prescribed it after my 1st breakout in June 2016. I have not had a breakout since my initial breakout. My husband has not contracted herpes. I didn't have any side effects when starting the medication. I usually take it faithfully during the week, but on weekends I tend to forget to take it."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2021

Valacyclovir "I have been using Valtrex 1 mg since the third HSV-2 outbreak, however, it does not improve the healing time, despite taking it on the first symptomatic day. Also, the outbreak comes back one week later, unlike the natural healing, which allows suppression for 3 to 6 months. Further, I am on Valtrex for 1 mg suppression for 1 year, and whenever I catch a cold or flu, the outbreaks keep coming in new areas different from the first outbreaks, e.g., shaft and testicles. Besides, it keeps coming for longer periods at multiple locations. It is so annoying, this expensive medicine, which does not improve anything, and I will start taking L-lysine after finishing one year on Valtrex suppression. Note: I am not immunocompromised."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2018

Valacyclovir "I just found out that I have genital herpes. I was depressed, my ex-boyfriend accused me of getting it first when in fact I only had sex with him without contraceptive, so for sure he got it first and gave it to me. So my OB-GYN prescribed me Valtrex. It's definitely a lifesaver for me since the initial outbreak. Expensive, but it works."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2012

Valacyclovir "For more than one year, I'm taking Valtrex, a 500 mg dose a day. I had a newborn daughter, so I decided to take care of her against herpes. As you know, this virus can kill a kid younger than 3 months. I didn't have an outbreak all this period of time, it's wonderful."

• Blo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 6, 2020

"I'm 23, and I've been taking valacyclovir daily for over 5 years. It's a miracle. I really just wanted to share this hopefully helpful tip with y'all: I would run out of my script all the time due to various reasons, and it would result in a breakout after a day or two of missing my dose. So I told my doctor that I needed to raise/double my daily dose. She did. So now I keep taking the same amount that I've always taken, and I save the rest of them. That way I never run out. I have a few extra bottles full of valacyclovir. That way, if anything ever happens, I know that I won't have to go without. Because this medication is something most of us will be on for the rest of our lives. So why deal with running out forever if you don't have to? I hope this helps."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

"Female, 49. Had my first big outbreak of herpes at the end of September. I didn't know what was going on. No blisters, but sores. It was so painful and itchy. I scratched myself raw around the genital area and anus area. Didn't fill my prescription for valacyclovir like I should have and dealt with this pain for a week. Medication began giving me relief after my third day. My prescription is for 6 refills and it's the beginning of Dec and I'm on refill #3. I take it when I feel the tingling. If the tingling returns soon, I'll ask the doctor about daily meds. I've been reading on this forum how it's helping mostly everyone."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2017

"I contracted herpes 3 years ago at age 38 and was absolutely devastated after having a fun and fancy-free sex life my whole adult life. I felt like my life was over. I took a natural antiviral, which helped block outbreaks from eating foods high in arginine. But as my job got very stressful, the natural antiviral couldn't block that, and I was getting a breakout every few weeks. I suddenly felt like I had no control. And I was fine until I'd get an outbreak, and then it was an ugly reminder of the person who gave it to me. I went to my doctor and got 500 mg per day, and it really was a lifesaver! It's great for suppression, and I recommend it. It gives self-esteem back!"

• bay...
• February 13, 2019

"I was informed about 6 months ago that I had contracted genital herpes. Initially, I was prescribed a 3-day supply. I had been getting reoccurring outbreaks monthly, so I called and told them I wanted it as a daily preventative. I stopped having outbreaks, BUT I had severe side effects. I became depressed with thoughts of suicide, a complete lack of energy, I gained 20 lbs in less than 2 months, had severe joint pain, emotional outbursts, and diarrhea. I have been off this medication for a little over a week, and I already feel so much better. My mood has returned to normal, no more joint pain or diarrhea, and my energy level has returned to normal. The downside is that I am now having another outbreak. One difference I can find is the first batch I was on is manufactured by Jubilant Cadist, and the newer one (with all the side effects) by Aurobindo Pharm. Since the first was a 3-day supply, it's possible I just didn't notice the side effects that I had with long-term usage."

• Dea...
• May 7, 2017

"I've used this medication when I was in high school, it doesn't work at all for me. I was following the dosage, and nothing happened at all. With this medication, I've had the worst and longest outbreak so far, it lasted for about 20+ days. I tried a Polysporin patch, it works a little bit. The main thing that I do to heal the outbreak is taking 750 mg of magnesium a day with L-lysine 2000 mg a day with zinc 50 mg a day, potassium works too. The main thing you should focus on is your diet. I put some garlic on the sore when it appears, but like HELL, it seems to work. For sleep, I put (de l'argile blanc) from Lancôme, it's a mask that if you apply on the lips and sores, it will keep them dry. This is what works for me now. I hope to discover some new remedy in the future. Sorry for my bad English, I'm French from Canada, and I wish nothing but the best for you all."

• Arn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2017

"Absolutely life changing. I suffered from severe cold sores that would stick around for 3 weeks at a time. I immediately take 2 when I feel one coming on, and it instantly stops it from growing. The last cold sore I had was back in September of 2016, so over a year ago. That's a huge win for me. And I was prescribed this drug after I had that last cold sore. I'm not one to write reviews, but this has changed my life, and I hope it can change yours. I know how awful and depressing it is to get a cold sore, so there is hope for us!"

• blo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 18, 2019

"This medication works. I was taking it episodically, and it would clear everything up in a few days. I’m now taking it as suppressive therapy and hope it works. Weirdly, Vicks VapoRub helped with outbreaks. Sounds painful, but compared to the pain of outbreaks, it was a relief and dried them up very fast. If you find valacyclovir expensive, shop around and look for vouchers."

• Gre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 29, 2017

"I have had herpes simplex for at least 40 years. I also have genital herpes. I used to get terrible cold sores on my lips and face that made me sick, really sick. I have also gotten sores on my arms and back as well as the genital area. I started taking Valtrex about 10 years ago. I now take valacyclovir, which is much less expensive. For about the past 8 years, I have been on suppression therapy, 500 mg daily, and I haven't had one outbreak at all, neither on my lips nor in the genital area. Before going on suppression therapy, I used to get outbreaks every once in a while. I would never know when it was going to happen, and sometimes the outbreaks were so bad I became physically sick. I'm so glad those days are gone."

• wor...
• December 18, 2016

"Male with genital herpes. One valacyclovir HCl 500 mg tablet per day. Never tested one way or another, but the doctors indicated the patient is the better judge of the better treatment. The option exists to only take the medicine at the time of an outbreak, but the suppression works well without obvious side effects. Best guess, 10 years' worth of suppression treatment without obvious side effects. And for those rating the drug with a low score, please do research on herpes and valacyclovir / Valtrex / Acyclovir. Acyclovir is the least cost 2-3 times a day option, but Valtrex (or the generic Valtrex) is a once a day option at a higher cost. Herpes is managed, not cured. Occasionally, I forget to take the medicine without issue."

• Exc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2019

"I contracted HSV over 12 years ago and had terrible and frequent outbreaks. My doctor prescribed a topical cream (aciclovir), and that did not help much. The outbreaks kept recurring, and they were painful. I eventually changed my doctor, and he prescribed valacyclovir tablets. Oh my goodness, valacyclovir is the miracle treatment of miracles for herpes! Once I feel a tingling and I take the tablets for 2 or 3 days, the outbreak is stopped. I'm so grateful for the relief!"

• HSV...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2016

"I have had genital herpes for the past 6 years. I caught it from my partner, so I didn't feel the need to use suppression, and my outbreaks did get less severe and less frequent over time. I recently got divorced, so I got on Valacyclovir as a daily suppressant since it can reduce my risk of passing it to a new partner (using condoms and paying attention to symptoms) to about 1%. I stayed taking it about 2 days into an outbreak and noticed a reduction in symptoms in a matter of hours. The only side effects I've had are a bit of fatigue and dizziness (I also take other meds that cause that, so it may be cumulative) and the occasional headache if I don't stay hydrated enough. Totally worth it to feel more normal though."