Valtrex for Cold Sores User Reviews (Page 4)

• Dzw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

"Valtrex was a wonder drug for me. I used to get 1 to 2 cold sores monthly, especially in the wintertime. After taking one round of this medication, I have NEVER had any cold sores return... and that has been over 2 years now! I am free from the multiple, painful blisters that used to make me miserable for weeks until they went away. Nothing ever worked for me before... this medication has changed my life."

• Isa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

"As an anxious person, I was worried when I saw how many pills to ingest and the possible side effects. Decided to jump in and let me tell you, the benefits outweighed my fears. I could feel it erupting - took the medication and the very next day I was 95% healed. There will be no more Abreva / Blistex for me. This is the way to go. Thank you, Valtrex. (Took the generic form)"

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2010

"Great medication! I am a hygienist and have been looking for a treatment for cold sores for my patients. I learned about Valtrex in school, but had not had a chance to try it until I got an outbreak recently. I had my doctor prescribe me 2 g to take 12 hours apart as the herpes labialis prescription suggests, and it worked wonders. I got tingling on Tuesday, took medication on Wednesday (had a small blister forming at the time), and on Thursday it is a small healing scab. Never got big enough for anyone to notice unless I pointed it out (which I did to everyone in my dental office because the healing was so great, they agreed). I am going to recommend it for my patients who suffer from frequent cold sores."

• Jet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2014

"I have been getting cold sores since I was in the 6th grade. Unfortunately, I am a special case, I have NEVER had one on my lip! They always appear either on my chin or my nose. It's awful, especially on the nose. I am giving this a 7 due to the fact it's no longer reducing the size of my breakouts anymore, even with the topical cream. It only seems to reduce the healing period, which isn't that great when I get one on my nose (yes, you guessed it, it's the tip), and I end up looking like a clown. I even got three breakouts in just this past March! It's definitely not working like it used to, and I am only 19, so I am now fearful for the years to come. I'm hoping it was just a little expired and will be going back to the doctor for a refill."

• Som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2019

"I’m a 37-year-old healthy male and competitive athlete. I've gotten “cold sores” inside my mouth perhaps once or twice a year since my early 20s. Eight weeks ago, I developed a single small sore. Before it went away, I got another... then another... This has continued for 2 months, and I haven’t had a day where I haven’t had at least one since May. I’m not sure what’s up to cause this other than workouts have been hard for a while leading up to a competition I have in August, but yesterday I woke up with 4 small lesions (one brand new from the night before) and decided to go see a doctor. I received 5 days' worth (10 pills) of 1G Valtrex to be taken 2 times per day. So far, I have taken 2 pills, and 24 hours later, all four sores are healing, I feel great, and I have no new ones. I’m pretty ecstatic right now. This stuff works very fast if you’re lucky."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2011

"I've had cold sores my entire life, recently, I've been getting outbreak after outbreak, each one increasing in severity. Last week, I started to get what I thought was going to be a minor outbreak, as I had just recovered from my last one the week before. I got online and started researching homeopathic remedies, OTC (Abreva, Releev, L-lysine, Campho) only seems to work if I use it at just the right time. So I started trying all the home remedies I read about: hydrogen peroxide, ice, tea bag, toothpaste, etc. Well, nothing worked. After missing four days of school and barely sleeping all week, I went to urgent care, and I was prescribed Valtrex. The new sores stopped forming almost immediately, and the older ones started healing very fast."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2012

"When I say I have NEVER, EVER taken/applied any medication to my cold sores before that is as effective as Valtrex, I MEAN IT. I have been dealing with this virus forever, and I have tried everything. My doctor gave me a prescription to have on hand, and 3 weeks ago, I was afraid to ask for it at the pharmacy. 2 days ago, though, when I woke up with that infamous tingle, I ran and filled it up. I messed up the dosage, but once I caught up, it REALLY began to disappear. By mid 2nd day, it was practically flat, and I typically swell badly. It's day 3, and I'm back to normal. Thank God for Valtrex! Try it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 2, 2012

"I got my first cold sore when I was 3 years old. I am now 36 and have tried every topical ointment available over that time frame, both prescription and OTC. If you have recurrent cold sores, you know all too well the stress associated with having one. A few years ago, my doctor's assistant suggested I take a sample of Valtrex, keep it on hand, and when I first sense a cold sore coming, take 1 gram, then wait 12 hours and take another gram, and do this for 2 full days - or 4 total doses. I was nearly sore-free in 2 days. It works best if you catch it early but still can be effective on a developed sore. I now ask my doctor for a 30-pill supply and keep it at the ready. I find I fill it once a year."

• ste...
• December 10, 2014

"I get cold sores maybe once or twice a year. I keep Valtrex on hand, and if I take it quick enough when I have the feeling one is coming on, it won't even appear. If I wake up and I have the tingly feeling on my lip and I take it, it will reduce it significantly. When you feel the tingling, make sure you take the full dose, not just one. Also, the cold sore healing patches by Polysporin are amazing! If you get a full-blown cold sore and put these on, it will shrink it almost down to nothing."

• Max...
• October 27, 2016

"I have had intermittent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) since 2012, presenting with viral-like symptoms. My ID, Dr. found that a local renowned university is treating CFS with anti-virals, and we decided to give it a shot. It took about 4 months to work, but at the moment I am currently in a 7-month remission, which is unprecedented (the longest remission previous was 2 months). I still have the fear that my symptoms may one day return, but at the moment it looks like Valtrex is keeping them at bay. For CFS sufferers who test positive for HSV-1, HHV-6, EBV, etc., I would recommend asking your Dr. about this medicine."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2012

"Been dealing with cold sores for 26 years now. As soon as I feel the tingle, I grab 2 Valtrex from my glove compartment or backpack combined with Denavir cream, and I'm going on 2 years with no visible outbreaks. Officially have the perfect herpes weapon. Even though the medication is expensive, it is so worth it because you only take it when you need it if you're able to tell when you may get one."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2015

"I've had cold sores since I was a kid and have only recently started taking Valtrex, but I have to say, this stuff is a game changer! I usually get a cold sore about once a year, and it lasts anywhere from a week to two weeks. I'm an entertainer, so they always seem to pop up right around a big gig, so you can imagine the anguish it creates. I eat healthy and work out regularly, so that cuts down on their frequency, but they still occasionally pop up. My doctor recently prescribed me the medication, and I had completely forgotten about it until I woke up the day before a big gig with a significant bump and serious redness. I immediately took two 1 mg tablets and two more later before bed in conjunction with Abreva. By morning, it was gone!"

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2012

"I have had cold sores since I was a little kid, and I'm always super mad and shocked a lot of the time that I wake up and find one. You would think after getting them forever that you would know when you are getting one. Have used Zovirax, then Abreva became available, and if you could time it right, it worked awesome. I'm a smoker, so I frequently spread the cold sores around my mouth, just as one is healing, another will show up. Two months of continuous cold sores hurts and is embarrassing. My friend told me about Valtrex a year ago after having cold sore after cold sore. After the first dose, the sore shriveled up, second dose, they were scabbed and healing. Huge help with the pain factor too. Amazing, if you haven't already, try it!"

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2009

"I have been taking Valtrex for the past 3 months or so, with no outbreaks. I have been dealing with cold sores for over 10 years, and this past year was what made me talk to my doctor about getting a prescription. I typically get them when it's cold outside, my immune system is down, or I am stressed. So far, so good. I take them every day with my pillbox so I can remember. Works wonders so far. I hate those little buggers, this has been a lifesaver during the times I have been stressed."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2011

"I don't write too many reviews, but I wanted to let you know that this medicine really works. I woke up with tingling on my lip and knew exactly what it was, then, 4 hours later, another one appeared. I immediately started putting Zovirax on my cold sores every 2 hours. I woke up the next morning to find another one starting. I knew that I couldn't handle 3 of these hideous things on my face, and I had heard from a drug rep that Valtrex really worked. But she wasn't sure if it worked AFTER they had been present for a day or two. I called my doctor, and she prescribed Valtrex 36 hrs after they started. I can honestly say that it worked. In 3 days, there was nothing but a simple little red mark on my lips."

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2012

"I have suffered from cold sores since I was 3 months old. I'm now 25, I suffered bad cold sores with anything that I was emotional over. The big one is stress. My problem was I always missed the tingle, I would go to bed fine and wake up the next day with my whole bottom lip swollen, full of blisters. Over time, it progressed to my cheek, above my eyebrow, my chin, and all my glands would swell. One day, I woke up and couldn't open my eye. I had blisters all over my eyelid, and it was completely swollen from my forehead down my cheek and the area in between. I was on every medicine. I was put on Valtrex 500 mg, and for the last 3 years, I have had very little breakouts, and the severity has decreased. The only side effect was dry skin, but it won't stop me from taking it, I never felt so confident."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

"I have been getting cold sores since I was a little girl. The doctor always told me that it was a virus in my system that I had to deal with, but last month I got valacyclovir, and it is the best thing I have ever used. The cold sore is gone in two days. I have had cold sores for about 30 years, and I am glad that whoever came up with this medicine, THANK YOU SO MUCH."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2018

"I recently used Valtrex for my cold sores. I was at work, and some time after lunch, around 1-2 p.m., I felt a tingle and a weird sensation on my lip. Went to the bathroom and saw a little tiny pustule in the center of my lip. I didn’t have any medicine with me at work and wasn’t able to get my first dosage of 2 g until 6 p.m. I woke up and took the second dosage at 6:30 a.m., and now it’s gone! Whatever little swelling was there just disappeared. The cold sore never raised or formed. I was able to stop it right in its tracks! By the way, I RARELY ever get cold sores-one maybe every four years or so-but this year I had 2 within four months' time, so I was ready with medication on hand just in case, and it literally was amazing. A non-issue, basically. Good stuff!"

• Dan...
• April 17, 2017

"Valtrex is amazing! I have suffered my whole life from cold sores, usually covering with makeup, alcohol, Abreva (obviously nothing worked). Then my doctor suggested Valtrex, which is phenomenal! My outbreaks only last maybe 3 days compared to 8-12!"

• ash...
• October 16, 2011

"I kissed a girl with cold sores when I was 17. I get cold sores on my lip whenever I am sick or very stressed. It happens more during the winter months. It took 18 months from my contamination until my first outbreak. I had outbreaks once per year for 3 years, then twice per year for 3 years. Now that I am 35, I get 4 outbreaks per year. I take 2 grams of Valtrex when I first feel tingly, then 1 gram the next day (24 hours). This totally prevents my outbreaks! Valtrex works great! Also, do not share food, drinks, or kiss anyone while you have a cold sore. It is very contagious! Keep your kids safe."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

"Valtrex works. Around Christmas, I got a cold sore and didn't have any on hand and wasn't able to get any - and that cold sore was the worst I've had in ages. It lasted a good 10 days and was huge. I've always taken Valtrex as soon as I feel one coming on, and it has always knocked it out almost immediately. It stops it in its tracks and the healing begins. The difference between using Valtrex and not using it, in my experience, is night and day. I highly recommend always having it on hand. 2 grams for the first dose, then 2 grams 12 hours later has always worked for me."

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 27, 2013

"I contracted the disease thanks to my then-boyfriend, whose whole family, including himself, got them. I tried everything to make them go away - Carmex, Campho-Phenique (which was just ridiculous), even ice. Nothing worked. My then-boyfriend finally got a prescription for Denavir, which only worked once. It helped heal the cold sores, but never prevented them. Valtrex was prescribed to me, and I never got them."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2010

"I have been taking Valtrex for my cold sore breakouts now for 3 and a half years. I had bad outbreaks every 3 months before I started taking it. I have been dealing with cold sores for 9 years now. I started taking one pill a day every day 3 and a half years ago. Since that point, I have had only 2 small outbreaks. It has totally changed my life and made me feel more confident since I am not always worrying about the next outbreak."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2014

"I've struggled my whole life with cold sores. Having this horrible problem since I was 2 years old, I've been through almost every treatment for them. I've discovered for me it's always either stress, dramatic change in weather, ranch dressing, or sun/tanning bed that make them appear. Valtrex helps so much! I take four in the morning and four at night for only one day, and it works amazing. I also use Viroxyn. It's magical too. These two are the only things that seem to help mine!"

• olg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2019

"I have had cold sores since I was 3 or 4, but only in the past couple of years have I seen an increase in the frequency (I used to get them 2 times a year, and now get them once or twice a month). I was prescribed Valtrex two years ago to combat the cold sores. I take two pills at the earliest sign of a tingle. Sometimes, the tingle goes away and there is no cold sore. However, sometimes a cold sore still forms. There is initial swelling and fever blisters, but the blisters do not become enlarged and quickly scab over. At its most effective, Valtrex prevents cold sores from forming. At its least effective, Valtrex lessens the pain, improves the appearance, and shortens the cycle of my cold sores (from tingle to scab in 2 or 3 days)."