Valacyclovir and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• syl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2019

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "My dentist prescribed me Valtrex for cold sores I get on my gums (and occasionally on the lips, though that is much less frequent). At the first sign of an outbreak, usually a small blister or a couple of them, I take 2000 mg every 12 hours for one day. Valtrex keeps it from spreading; I never get any more blisters than on first onset. They also never crack or crust over. Within about 3 days they're completely gone. I swear by this medication for intra-oral cold sores. The only side effect I seem to get is a bad headache. Definitely worth it."

• Val...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2019

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Okay, so I had been suffering from this condition (herpes 2) for 16 years. Every GP I went to couldn't figure out what I had. I tried to research my symptoms online with no luck until recently. I made a self-diagnosis, went to the doctor for a blood test, and voila, mystery solved. Prior to figuring this out, I would have frequent outbreaks and treat it myself with Canesten cream that would clear up the condition within 3 days. However, within 2 weeks, hello, back again! Arg. For me, sugar was the trigger food. I gave up sugar and the outbreaks were less frequent. Now I am taking Valtrex 500 mg and have been experiencing headaches, although my symptoms have completely disappeared. I am wondering if 1/2 the dosage would work."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2012

For Herpes Zoster "Valacyclovir worked extremely well on the pain, blisters, burning, and itching, but the nausea and headache were just as extreme. I could only take the valacyclovir for 2 days, then decided the pain was more bearable than the constant nausea. My doctor is going to try famciclovir and see if I do any better with the side effects."

• Lig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "I actually am not sure if what I had was herpes, but the side effects I experienced from just taking one dose of this drug were scary. I could barely wake up in the morning, my head was hurting so much. I felt sick all day, like I was going to throw up, and I took three naps and STILL felt exhausted. I ran to the bathroom a few times thinking I was about to throw up, leaving my 4-month-old alone while I did so. And I could not eat anything all day because of the nausea."

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2020

For Varicella-Zoster "I am 25 years old and have shingles for the first time. On day four of taking this valacyclovir medication. While this has certainly reduced the spread of the shingles to a small rash on my side, I have had very low energy, been very nauseous, had headaches, and have lost quite a bit of hair from one of the more rare side effects. I do not feel myself and am on edge and in a fog. Just be heads up for some of these symptoms."

• Tim...
• June 4, 2014

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "Got this prescription about 2 months ago, just in case I felt a cold sore coming on. Well, this morning I finally got to try it, and as far as I can tell, it seems to be working as well as past reviewers have posted. I felt it getting itchy for a couple of hours (I always have an itchy nose, so I just monitored it). I went to the bathroom at work about 2.5 hrs after feeling initial itching and noticed it turning red. (My cold sores come around the lower part of my nostril and partially inside my nose). I took 2 pills, and after about 30 mins, the itching and slight throbbing went away. It's now been 11 hrs since I took the first 2 pills, and the redness does seem to be retreating (but time will tell, different lighting in my home than my work)."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2018

For Herpes Simplex, Mucocutaneous/Immunocompetent Host "After taking this for almost 3 years, the side effects were hard to notice at first. Headaches were just one slight effect. My tendons in my feet ruptured? That's a strange effect. It isn't listed as even a chance on any side effects. Kidney issues, well, what does that do? Affects minerals and bones in your body. After 6 months of messing around on crutches and tons of weird effects, I finally figured out the problem is Valtrex! Don't underestimate the damage to your kidneys from taking this drug."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2022

For Herpes Zoster "I came down with shingles on a Friday but couldn't get to my doc until late Monday. The illness affects my mouth, nose, and scalp on the left side. Doc prescribed valacyclovir 3 x day for 7 days. This is day 4. I have been 4 days with a bad headache and similar pains in the neck/throat area. The valacyclovir seems to be working, and I am glad to have an antiviral available. Just tired of this ordeal... procrastinated on the shingles vaccine. If you haven't been vaccinated, do it now."

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

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "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."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2022

For Cold Sores "If you have cold sores, you know how horrible and (for me) depressing they can be. I've taken this medication about 3x now in the last year and a half, and it's been an absolute lifesaver! Yesterday, I was at work on my lunch break. I felt like I had a sore coming in on the corner of my mouth. I instantly got a prescription sent to my local pharmacy. I took 2 pills right when I was off work around 5:15 pm. I also took 1000 mg of lysine and a B complex (this seems to help for me). Before bed, I put tea tree oil and a Mederma patch on the spot. When I woke up this morning, the spot was completely flat and a little crusty, already healing and barely noticeable. This medication REALLY speeds up the healing process, I'd say instead of a 2-week sore, it cuts it down to about 3-5 days max. In 24 hours, it completely dries out the sore, in 48 hours, the sore is 90% gone. Not to mention, it takes away the pain, swelling, and weeping. Only side effect is a slight headache!"

• ska...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Had to stop taking this medicine after 2 pills. Severe side effects included abdominal bloating, gas, nausea, and pain. Also had increased tinnitus and headache. Almost went to 'Urgent Care,' but symptoms decreased very slowly after 2 days."

• had...
• October 31, 2011

Valacyclovir for Cold Sores "To posters not getting relief - the manufacturer's recommended dosage for cold sore outbreak is two grams every 12 hours for 1 day. If you are not taking this dose, that would be the reason it does not work for you. Some will heal with less, but I suggest that your first time taking it, you take as is FDA suggested. For me at least (50 years of cold sores), if the sore is already in progress, then two grams at least for the first dose is absolutely necessary. I then judge later at the 12-hour mark whether it is already responding and may only take 1 gram. If I catch it at the first tingle, then I get by with a single gram every 6 hours for 3 doses only. Personally, I have learned to try and catch it early because 2 grams gives me a headache."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 11, 2017

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I just want to say that this med has given me my life back. I have read some of the other reviews, and if you are having trouble with side effects from this pill, please try a different pill made from a different manufacturer. All of them are different. I hated the Mylan (122) brand. It gave me a headache, couldn't sleep, and couldn't focus. I switched to one made by Teva, and it has been great. No side effects at all."

• jay...
• October 22, 2012

For Cold Sores "Yesterday at noon, I noticed the bump and that soggy skin feeling. It was beyond the tingle stage, and the white pustule was visible already. Found the valacyclovir in the medicine cabinet and took the pills. I could see notable improvement by six hours after I took the first two. I will note that it did seem to give me a pretty bad headache, and I don't normally get headaches ever. It is now 30 hours after my initial dose and 18 hours after the second two-gram dose, and the sore is almost gone. Literally, a miracle for me."

• Naa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2018

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Started the 1000 mg twice daily for ten days. Within the first day in, felt dizzy, headache, body aches, stuffy nose, cough, etc. I took the day off work and called the doc."

• Gem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2021

For Herpes Zoster "I’ve been taking Valtrex for about 4 days now for a mild case of shingles on my neck. The rash seems to be clearing up and is less painful. I have had on-and-off headaches and diarrhea, though."