Valtrex and Headaches: What Users Say

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

For Herpes Zoster "Discovered rash on a Thursday, prescribed Valtrex on a Friday. Woke up Saturday and rash was still spreading but stopped by that night and began to dry up by Tuesday - no blisters ever formed and itching/pain was very minimal! Side effects only the first day or so, but not positive it was from Valtrex - the sickness/headaches I felt could've easily been from my anxiety. By the third day, any side effects subsided completely and had no issues finishing the medication. After reading stories of shingles sufferers who did not take antivirals, I am so happy my doctor prescribed this medication. Also, a suggestion, Burow's solution (sold as Domeboro in most pharmacies) helped soothe and dry up my rash quickly! Keep your head up!"

• syl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2019

For Cold Sores "My dentist prescribed me Valtrex for cold sores I get on my gums (and occasionally on the lips, though that is much less frequent). At the first sign of an outbreak, usually a small blister or a couple of them, I take 2000 mg every 12 hours for one day. Valtrex keeps it from spreading; I never get any more blisters than on first onset. They also never crack or crust over. Within about 3 days they're completely gone. I swear by this medication for intra-oral cold sores. The only side effect I seem to get is a bad headache. Definitely worth it."

• Lig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

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."

• Tim...
• June 4, 2014

For Cold Sores "Got this prescription about 2 months ago, just in case I felt a cold sore coming on. Well, this morning I finally got to try it, and as far as I can tell, it seems to be working as well as past reviewers have posted. I felt it getting itchy for a couple of hours (I always have an itchy nose, so I just monitored it). I went to the bathroom at work about 2.5 hrs after feeling initial itching and noticed it turning red. (My cold sores come around the lower part of my nostril and partially inside my nose). I took 2 pills, and after about 30 mins, the itching and slight throbbing went away. It's now been 11 hrs since I took the first 2 pills, and the redness does seem to be retreating (but time will tell, different lighting in my home than my work)."

• had...
• October 31, 2011

For Cold Sores "To posters not getting relief - the manufacturer's recommended dosage for cold sore outbreak is two grams every 12 hours for 1 day. If you are not taking this dose, that would be the reason it does not work for you. Some will heal with less, but I suggest that your first time taking it, you take as is FDA suggested. For me at least (50 years of cold sores), if the sore is already in progress, then two grams at least for the first dose is absolutely necessary. I then judge later at the 12-hour mark whether it is already responding and may only take 1 gram. If I catch it at the first tingle, then I get by with a single gram every 6 hours for 3 doses only. Personally, I have learned to try and catch it early because 2 grams gives me a headache."

• Naa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2018

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Started the 1000 mg twice daily for ten days. Within the first day in, felt dizzy, headache, body aches, stuffy nose, cough, etc. I took the day off work and called the doc."