Valtrex for Herpes Simplex, Suppression User Reviews (Page 4)

• cra...
• January 21, 2016

"As soon as you get your first outbreak, you need to start taking this immediately. The outbreak will only get worse without it and last for weeks. My first outbreak was heart-wrenching. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But once I started taking the medicine, my symptoms rapidly improved. I probably get less than one outbreak a year, but when I do have one, I take this immediately, and it knocks it right out."

• goo...
• June 4, 2011

"I took Valtrex once last week for 7 days, 3 x a day during the outbreak (oral), and wow, I caught it right in time. I actually felt tingling right before and took Valtrex, and the next morning, there it was. Immediately took 500 mg, 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, 500 mg x 1 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."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2021

"I have been using Valtrex 1 mg since the third HSV-2 outbreak, however, it does not improve the healing time, despite taking it on the first symptomatic day. Also, the outbreak comes back one week later, unlike the natural healing, which allows suppression for 3 to 6 months. Further, I am on Valtrex for 1 mg suppression for 1 year, and whenever I catch a cold or flu, the outbreaks keep coming in new areas different from the first outbreaks, e.g., shaft and testicles. Besides, it keeps coming for longer periods at multiple locations. It is so annoying, this expensive medicine, which does not improve anything, and I will start taking L-lysine after finishing one year on Valtrex suppression. Note: I am not immunocompromised."

• Hel...
• 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 when in fact I only had sex with him without contraceptive, so for sure he got it first and gave it to me. So my OB-GYN prescribed me Valtrex. It's definitely a lifesaver for me since the initial outbreak. Expensive, but it works."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2012

"For more than one year, I'm taking Valtrex, a 500 mg dose a day. I had a newborn daughter, so I decided to take care of her against herpes. As you know, this virus can kill a kid younger than 3 months. I didn't have an outbreak all this period of time, it's wonderful."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2023

"I have been living with herpes for almost 15 years, which I contracted from my boyfriend who cheated on me when I was 20. I hardly ever have an outbreak, maybe once every two years. Whenever I do have an outbreak, I take 1g twice a day for three days, and it clears up. Recently, I discovered a website called DrB on Google, which has been a lifesaver for me. I can now get my prescription online for simple things like herpes, thanks to the pandemic. I no longer have to go for a doctor's visit and feel embarrassed. There were times in the past when I didn't medicate because I was too ashamed to visit the doctor. I hope this information helps you. The medication I take helps to speed up the recovery process, and if taken as soon as you feel the tingling, it can even prevent an outbreak from occurring. I highly recommend it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2016

"I am 44. Had a 1st outbreak (genital) after having a UTI. It was a minor outbreak. Sm patch of raw skin and looked like one lesion. It never spread or got worse. I had never had any sort of outbreak, ever oral or genital. So, I don't know if I already had it or my partner of 1.5 years triggered an outbreak or whether it was dormant all this time and getting sick brought it out. I got blood and cult done for HSV 1 and 2 - 3 weeks later, but the patch was about 90% healed already without meds but was still prescribed (the generic Valtrex) 1000 mg, 2x a day for 5 days. I've been off the meds for 2 days now. I need to see if I get another outbreak before just taking meds daily. I had no side effects as I drank water like crazy as it said to do. I'm hoping for the best."

• new...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2024

"I have been taking Valtrex 1 gram on and off for the last 5 years. It is the best, especially since I get cold sores from having bridges and flossing. If I feel an outbreak coming on, within 24 hours it's suppressed or gone. I take it every day (and yes, outbreaks can still happen but they're nowhere near as bad as without Valtrex). I haven't noticed any side effects while taking this medication. Benefits are not having huge open sores on your lips or face."

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

"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."

• Gir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2022

"I am 21 now, I got diagnosed with herpes when I was 17 (got cheated on). I carry the HSV-1 strain, but my outbreaks are vaginal. My first outbreak I’ll never forget, I could barely walk, and it was horrible. I started suppressive therapy a few months later at 500 mg daily when I started having outbreaks more frequently. Which actually worked for a while… for a few years actually. I had very little outbreaks, if any. About a year ago, I began noticing more frequent outbreaks after having that nice break :( and so my doctor began prescribing me 1 g daily. It definitely helped for a while, but then I was back to having frequent outbreaks, and when I saw her about a month ago, she told me the virus should have been suppressed by now with the dosage I’ve been taking, and I really shouldn’t be having any outbreaks… nothing is working for me, and so she recommended I see an infectious disease specialist because she suspects resistance and doesn’t really know how else to help me."

• Zan...
• January 7, 2016

"I found out I had herpes simplex type 2 last year and never had a breakout until I got pregnant. My first breakout started about a week ago, and my OB just prescribed me Valtrex yesterday! I've started my dose, and I'm praying it works because this is horrible!"

• Phr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2022

"First time I used after 2 days of HSV third outbreak, I got swollen lymph nodes in my groin. Then outbreaks became very frequent that came a few days after finishing the course of treatment, e.g., 1 gm/day for 5 days. I tried during prodrome, which made the prodromal stage even worse and as long as a week, as I got multiple-location sharp pain in my groin area, this pain lasted for days and impacted my lifestyle. When I tried as suppressive therapy, I got very painful urination for subsequent months. After finishing 6 months of suppressive therapy, the outbreak came in 2 days as painful as the primary, extended suppressive therapy for another 6 months, and the outbreak came after 3 months. This drug is completely useless for me and local lidocaine is more effective for treatment along with rest."

• gra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 25, 2021

"I have been suffering from cold sores since I was a young child. I remember going to school incredibly embarrassed because I had giant cold sores that covered part of my lip and chin. In sixth grade, I went to a dentist appointment with a cold sore, and my dentist actually prescribed me Valtrex to take whenever I felt that familiar burning and itching sensation on my lips. It worked like a dream. In adulthood, I started getting more frequent outbreaks. I got a cold sore once a month that corresponded with my hormones. I started taking Valtrex daily and only get about one cold sore a year now. I just got a small cold sore on the corner of my mouth, so I started taking the Valtrex every 12 hours. I woke up today, and the thing is almost healed, just from doubling my dosage for one day. This medicine is a lifesaver. My quality of life is so much better after taking Valtrex, and I would recommend anyone who suffers from herpes to take it."

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2021

"I have been using Valtrex daily since I was 19, now I am 36. It has been a lifesaver. I only break out a couple of times a year. Once a day and a good healthy diet will really help with reducing your outbreaks, and most importantly, take it as proven to protect 50% from giving it to your partner."

• bod...
• April 8, 2023

"Valtrex has been effective at times and less effective at others. The body is a constantly evolving organism, so in some ways, I’m not surprised that my specific condition and array of genes means I won’t match every experience documented here or on other trials. Fortunately, I’ve had no side effects from taking Valtrex. I’m considering taking lysine as a preventative measure as I’m noticing outbreaks for my HSV-1 are occurring more randomly and frequently than in previous years. Maybe due to shifting hormones as I enter into perimenopause. Dismantling your own internalized stigma around having either form of herpes is key. Yes, there’s physical pain, a need to insulate exposure to others, unsightly wounds, I get it. Reminder, it’s passed congenitally as much as through intimacy with partners. People can carry for years without knowing or be asymptomatic. Know you’re very much not alone and you’ll find a manageable treatment with some trial and error."

• mar...
• February 5, 2016

"This is my first outbreak. I've been on it for 2 days now, and I have no relief. The blisters down in my vagina are awful. I'm scared to drink anything because I'm scared to go to the bathroom. I hope I get some relief soon. When the outbreak is gone, I hope to do suppressive treatment."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2022

"I don’t remember what year I was diagnosed. I usually try to do the natural route, but this last outbreak really caused me some real pain and distress. I usually take Lysine and just ride it out. Not this outbreak, I took ibuprofen. My genital area and my legs are hurting. I feel like my left leg is so itchy, and it’s taking so long to feel better. So I started Valtrex today. I hope I feel better soon."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2023

"I was prescribed Valtrex to treat a 'massive infection' in one eye. Valtrex worked wonderfully to clear up my eye, but I've had weird side effects in my vagina: strange new odor, thick sticky substance in and around, and also sometimes a very watery discharge, watery as in running down my leg when I get up out of bed. My doctor recommended I stay on it since herpes never goes away once you've had it, but I'm very unhappy about the side effects listed above. I've been off Valtrex for two months, and I'm still not close to 'back to normal.'"

• Jim...
• February 2, 2016

"So woke up Sunday morning with a little blister. Instantly took 4x500mg Valtrex. Unlike the rest of the users on the previous reviews, mine did get bigger and did multiply. It is now Tuesday. It didn't get as big as it would get without the Valtrex, but still up there and not scabbing yet. So it's either I'm not lucky like the rest of the users or they are making it up."

• Tha...
• November 3, 2016

"I typically don't write reviews. But almost a year of taking and not any outbreaks. Great med. And gave me my life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2012

"Completely changed my life. Not a single outbreak while on Valtrex. Went off it just to see how I would do without & have had 2 very painful outbreaks."

• 525...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2016

"Have been on Valtrex for about a year on suppressive therapy. Works like a charm. No outbreaks. No side effects. I feel so much better about this."

• Lon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2019

"I have taken Valtrex for 14 years. One pill daily."

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2015

"It has been a great suppressive medicine for herpes 2. Would recommend highly. Hoping for a vaccine, but until then, this is the next best thing."

• Reg...
• February 10, 2014

"I was diagnosed with HSV-2 three years ago. I've never had an outbreak, but my gyno prescribed Valtrex as suppressive therapy."