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

• yogag...
• 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 prevention of transmission. You can even apply it before sex if you're really concerned on transmission. 4. Take your pill everyday. Get a pill case. 5. Try to avoid stress. 6. You'll forget you have it on this med. 7. I have been married many years and my partner still hasn't got it."

• Cinci...
• 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."

• Joana...
• April 12, 2017

"This drug has been 100% effective. I first started taking 500 mg and had just had mild outbreaks, decided to up the dose to 1 mg a day and had no outbreaks since then. Highly recommend taking it for those who experience more than 12 outbreaks a year."

• 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!"

• LadyT...
• 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!"

• Milit...
• 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."

• MaryM...
• 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."

• jared
• 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."

• Deet
• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Earth...
• 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."

• 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."

• CJ1234
• August 30, 2017

"I was supposed to take this for supressive 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."

• Kscrim
• 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."

• Whyme
• 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 half later (fast forward to 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."

• HerpD...
• 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 500mg Valtrex immediately and still I was having 1-2 outbreaks a month. So based on that I switched to acyclovir 400mg 2x a day because 500mg valtrex was already more expensive, I didn’t want to pay for the 1G. I did some digging and finally found that this actually is a documented medical experience, published in a couple journal articles. For people with high outbreak numbers 500mg valtrex is ineffective, while acyclovir, 1G valtrex, and famicyclovir 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 400mg acyclovir 2x a day, I still get tingling and itching sometimes but it’s been two months and I haven’t had any outbreaks."

• Krbbvb
• 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 years last 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 everyday, 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 dr 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!"

• Lady
• 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 patterns kept outbreaks away."

• goodt...
• June 4, 2011

"I took Valtrex once last week for 7 days 3 x day during the outbreak (oral) and wow caught it right in time. I actually felt tingling right before and took Valtrex and next morning there it was. Immediatly took 500mg 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 500mg x1 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."

• 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."

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

"I just found out that I have genital herpes. I was depressed, my ex boyfriend accused me of getting it first where in fact I only had sex with him without contraceptive so for sure he got it first and gave it to me. So my obgyn prescribed me Valtrex Its definitely a life saver for me since the initial outbreak . Expensive but it works"

• jayoz
• November 26, 2015

"Wow get maybe 2 or 3 cold sores a year and in my line of work i cant afford to look bad. So i had a very bad coldsore on my upper lip worst ive had my lip swole 2x normal size. Ive never been to a dr for a coldsore before but i was desperate. Was prescribed valtrex and within 2 days this mother of a coldsore is literally dissapearing. Amazing this is the first time i have posted anything online but i felt i had to say how good this drug is! I wont look back no more over the counter crap for me."

• unico...
• 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 500mg treatment worked immediately in clearing up the outbreak, and much more importantly, I've been OUTBREK 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, 400mg twice a day. I'm fervently hoping the suppressive qualities I've enjoyed with Valtrex remain...keeping my fingers crossed."