Valtrex for Herpes Simplex, Suppression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2015

"So after reading these reviews, I feel a little better about taking Valtrex. I just took my first 500 mg dose for HSV-1 that has been recurring in my nose over the last 2 years (thank you, nose piercer). I read that it has the potential to travel up into my sinuses and, in rare cases, can cause fatal outbreaks in the brain. I can't tell you the kind of depression I fell into after I read that... It was all I could think about for weeks until I could get in to the doctor. I'm hoping it works as well for me as it seems to for all of you. Fingers crossed."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2016

"I was unfortunately diagnosed in February 2015 with HSV-2 when I experienced my first outbreak. It was horrible and devastating. I continued to get outbreaks monthly until I had enough and finally went to my doctor in July of 2015. He put me on a 1-gram dose of Valtrex daily, and I have not had an outbreak since. This drug is a total lifesaver. Couldn't be happier with the results."

• yog...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 8, 2022

"I have had herpes 1 and 2 for more than 10 years now. Here are some tips for you. I forget I even have this. 1. Keep that area clean. 2. Drink a lot of fluids, as this is a strong drug. Don't cut out salt, you need it on this drug. Drink lots of electrolytes on this. 3. Neem oil applied on outbreaks will help you tremendously. Look up the benefits of neem on the prevention of transmission. You can even apply it before sex if you're really concerned about transmission. 4. Take your pill every day. Get a pill case. 5. Try to avoid stress. 6. You'll forget you have it on this medication. 7. I have been married many years, and my partner still hasn't got it."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2016

"I can remember getting my first outbreak around 14 years old, I had suffered from chickenpox in my younger days. I didn't know what to do about these sores. I was so embarrassed going to school, would even cry. My parents never took me to the doctor for this. This continued throughout my adult life. In 2012, I went to the Bahamas for vacation. Laid out in the sun, enjoyed the ocean. Woke up to tingling...couple hours later, a gigantic blister. It was so ugly. Tried to suppress it with alcohol or Sea Breeze, that's all I had then. As I took flight, seemed like it got even bigger and the itching was unbearable. That was enough. The beginning of this year I finally sought medical attention. When I say the generic Valtrex is great...! It is!"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2016

"I gotta say it really works - I thought I had a bad heat rash, but it wasn't clearing up. I finally asked my mom to take me to the hospital, and when they told me what it was, I said no way and how - I still wonder why it was me out of everyone I got it - makes you feel horrible inside - but it's not the end - I've got a boyfriend who supports me through all this - thankfully he doesn't have it, and doctors said I might have gotten it from a past boyfriend - but they gave me a shot in the hip and 4000 mg of Valtrex - I went home still thinking I did not have it and that it was just a basic rash - stopped putting ointments on it and stopped all treatments I did. It started to clear up - lab result later said I was positive - I cried - Valtrex does work!"

• jar...
• December 3, 2011

"I have HSV-2 since about 22, and at about age 26, Valtrex became available. I have taken 1 gram daily (somewhat consistent) until about 2.5 years ago. It was great, and I didn't have one single outbreak in almost 14 years, nor did my two long-term ex's get the virus. Unfortunately, I developed an allergic reaction from long-term use and can no longer tolerate it without a major skin rash, major itching, hypersensitivity, and also had some hair thinning. I'm trying Famvir, but so far I'm back to having outbreaks. I have gone on and off the medicine 6-7 times, and within weeks have had negative symptoms, which subside within days of discontinuing."

• Mar...
• March 20, 2016

"Had my first outbreak about two weeks ago, it was excruciatingly painful. Couldn't urinate without being in the bathtub or running water over the sores. This outbreak had been going on for a whole two weeks almost, so I went to my doctor, and she prescribed me Valtrex 500 mg, 2x a day. By the second day of taking the medication, the burning while urinating went away. I am now on day 6, and the sores are almost all gone. I have maybe one left, but there's little to no feeling in it. This was my first outbreak, and I just turned 21, it flared up right after I got the flu and had a high fever. Apparently, HSV can stay dormant in your body for some time until your immune system is shot, but I'm finally feeling normal again, and the meds for sure work."

• Cin...
• November 17, 2016

"I had my first outbreak at 19 and maybe 1-2 minor outbreaks. At 38, my outbreaks became noticeable and frequent, as soon as the itching subsided, it would appear again 3 days later. Then my anus started to itch. After a visit to my gynecologist, I walked away with a prescription for 500 mg of valacyclovir to be taken daily. One week later, I had an outbreak similar to my first, except now my buttocks and thighs were included. I had a 1-inch lesion on my inner buttocks, and my vagina was swollen and weeping (the itching was unlike anything I've ever experienced). I stopped the valacyclovir after about 20 days. The symptoms abated 3 days later."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2016

"I found out I had genital HSV-1 about a month ago. I have never seen a sore or bump of any kind down there, but I experienced a burning that I compared to being cut, literally. The doctor found a lesion by the vaginal opening that looked like little paper cuts, apparently. Anyhow, the 500 mg Valtrex 1× daily started helping after 2 weeks. The weird nerve-like sensations I was experiencing were all gone after 3 weeks. The only negative side effect is fatigue after I take the dose."

• Ksc...
• October 1, 2015

"I get cold sores very badly on my upper lip (doctors are even surprised how bad it gets), so I am prescribed Valtrex 1000 mg. I love it! It takes away all of the pain overnight and helps speed up the process very fast. I've also found if I catch my cold sores soon enough, I take my normal dose, and it doesn't appear! This medicine is an absolute Godsend, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who struggles with the same or similar symptoms, as we all know how awful Herpes Simplex can be."

• LL...
• August 14, 2015

"I've had HSV1 since birth. My whole life suffering from terrible outbreaks. My entire mouth, tongue, and cheeks covered in giant cold sores. I would get about three single outbreaks a year and, every two years or so, have an outbreak of at least five cold sores at once. High school was hell, I was always trying to make up excuses like 'an allergic reaction' or 'I fell down' to avoid the accusations of 'girl with herpes.' Finally, when I was 18, it was a week before Halloween, and, of course, a giant outbreak! Finally, I went to the doctor, and she told me about Valtrex. I had seen it on TV and thought, 'I don't have genital herpes,' and was almost embarrassed to be prescribed it. I took the doctor's advice, and literally within a couple of days, it was gone. It works!!"

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

"I am 60 years old, female, have had many very painful breakouts over the last 15 yrs. I have a weakened immune system. Finally, after two breakouts within 2 months, I am now on 500 mg valacyclovir every night. So far, no problems except I have gained weight and feel tired all the time, but I take other medicines that cause this also. I recommend it highly."

• Ear...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2015

"I have MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) and had suffered with outbreaks for years (1/month). Because of MCS, my body can turn a medication into a poison, so I was always too afraid to seek a remedy. When outbreaks became too frequent, I caved in under duress. My gyno prescribed Valtrex (not the generic) because the generics are inconsistent. I took one 500mg pill per day. This medication rocks! I took it for almost 7 years and did not have one single breakout and my body did not have any negative reactions to it! About 1.5 years ago, I stopped taking it because I couldn't afford it! Even though insurance covered a small portion of it. And 1.5 years later I'm having a breakout. I will go back to a daily dose."

• Not...
• January 3, 2015

"I've been on Valtrex as suppression therapy for two months. After first contracting HSV-2, I was getting outbreak upon outbreak with no break. It has significantly reduced my outbreaks, but I am still getting them and presently not much relief. My doctor thinks it may take more time for the medication to work. But I did notice a review where this person upped their dosage while in outbreak. Will try this and see."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2012

"I just started taking Valtrex, and it has been working great. Just contracted HSV2 in Dec. 2011, it's now Feb. 2012. Went to the hospital the day after I saw all the lesions and was on famciclovir (Famvir). Didn't really seem to do much for the lesions. I only had one week's worth of Famvir and was off antivirals until 3 weeks ago and had 3 mini outbreaks since then with 1 lesion each. Got on Valtrex, haven't even had itching or tingling since. Thanks, Valtrex."

• Her...
• January 1, 2021

"Okay. I long suspected I had herpes, I’d notice single outbreaks any time I had a cold. Then, when I turned 30, I had an outbreak not associated with a cold at all. I got on 500 mg Valtrex immediately, and still, I was having 1-2 outbreaks a month. So, based on that, I switched to acyclovir 400 mg 2x a day because 500 mg Valtrex was already more expensive, I didn’t want to pay for the 1 g. I did some digging and finally found that this actually is a documented medical experience, published in a couple of journal articles. For people with high outbreak numbers, 500 mg Valtrex is ineffective, while acyclovir, 1 g Valtrex, and famciclovir are. It would certainly shorten the length of the outbreak to 3-5 days when I took the treatment dose, but did not prevent. With 400 mg acyclovir 2x a day, I still get tingling and itching sometimes, but it’s been two months, and I haven’t had any outbreaks."

• CJ1...
• August 30, 2017

"I was supposed to take this for suppressive therapy, but I stopped after my outbreak because I couldn't stand the side effects. This pill made me dizzy, and I could hardly function at work. I don't know if this or the HSV-1 is worse."

• Krb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2015

"I have gotten cold sores as long as I can remember. Miserable ones that would cover my chin, after starting at the corner of my mouth. They would happen 2 to 4 times a year, lasting for 4 to 8 weeks. Finally, 2 years ago, I was prescribed Valtrex, and I have had 2 breakouts in 2 years. I take them every day, 1 a day, unless I am feeling a breakout coming on. Then I will double up on the pills. Truth be told, I have been lazy and didn't go back to the doctor for a new script when mine ran out. So right now, I have been over a week without my Valtrex and having severe breakouts in places I didn't even know you could get them. Apparently, my body goes into shock when I stop taking it. Will never stop again. Valtrex rocks!"

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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."