Valacyclovir and Nausea: 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."

• 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."

• lav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2015

For Herpes Zoster "I give this a 10 for working. But will not take again. I took it within a few hours of the first signs of a rash. 3x's a day for 10 days. Side effects not worth it. I had nightmares, extreme irritability, felt depressed, nausea, and vomiting. It hit hard and fast. Felt depressed before I even took my 3rd pill. I thought I'd try to stay with it and it would get better, I got worse. My very quick change in behavior started to affect loved ones. So I stopped taking it. I'd rather be in physical pain than the emotional turmoil I felt. I felt out of control of my own thoughts. Last pill was taken at 6 pm. Within 24 hours I felt 100 times better and happy and normal."

• 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."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I don't see many reviews for my condition (genital herpes HSV-1) so wanted to share. First breakout was 11 months ago and lasted a week and a half. Broke out Sunday with sores. Monday got a second crop. Took the valacyclovir at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Wednesday it was like the medicine sped up the cycle of the sore instead of making it go away. They were fully formed. Thursday woke up and they were healing. Friday almost gone. Sunday they were completely healed. I feel like if I hadn't taken the meds, it definitely would have taken longer to heal. I took 500 mg twice a day for 3 days. Only side effect was nausea when taken without food, but worth it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2021

Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "It does work without a doubt, but made me pretty sick in the process. It made me extremely dizzy and nauseous, and I just had to quit taking it. I felt so out of it for days and unbalanced. Yes, I would use it again if the sores popped back up, but wouldn’t take the whole course."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2020

For Varicella-Zoster "I started valacyclovir, and I am about 2 days into an extreme rash, and though it's taken a while for that to dry out, I am now severely nauseated and unsteady. I know steroids can do this, so I am drinking plenty of water and going to cut the dose by a third. The nausea, in particular, is just too much with this drug. (Maybe smaller adults should take less than all adults?)"

• hap...
• June 5, 2018

For Cold Sores "I'm 36 and started using acyclovir at the first sign of an outbreak several years ago. I have since upgraded to valacyclovir. Acyclovir made me nauseous, and valacyclovir does not (and I am very sensitive to drugs). I only get an outbreak every 6 months to 3 years, but when I do, it dominates my life because it is just massive and cannot be covered with makeup. Now that I have a daughter, I need to be extra careful to protect her. FYI - You may be able to ask your dentist for a prescription for just in case you have an outbreak after dental work (due to strain on the lips). Mine gave me a huge bottle full, so I can dose them out as needed."