Valtrex and Swelling: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2019

For Cold Sores "I’m 26. I was diagnosed with herpes 2 years ago. This is my third time having an outbreak on my face, normally, it’s just one cold sore that is gone within days thanks to Valtrex. This time, I’m broken out from my nose to my chin. Bumps everywhere! On my lips, above my lips. This is also the first time I’ve experienced the horrible pain associated with oral herpes. It’s dry and feels scabby. I’m three days in and actually went to urgent care because my mouth was swollen this morning. The doctor told me to take my 500 mg Valtrex 3 times a day. I’m praying this clears soon because I’m at the point where I don’t want any human interactions, I’m so embarrassed and feel so ugly. Glad to see there are others out there struggling just like me. Hang in there!"

• 52y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2015

For Cold Sores "Awesome results. I rarely have cold sores. Roughly one every 2-3 years. Never have had ANY relief from various home remedies or OTC solutions. Cold sore forms in the same place on the upper lip just below my mustache, which can be confused in the initial stages with an ingrown hair/pimple. The difference being that hair doesn't form on the lips! Ha. Outbreak swells quickly within 2 days to a nickel-sized dimension with an actual open sore (yellow/white) 1/3 the size. I took 2 doses of 2 mg 12 hours apart after swelling had started. A small yellow outline was already forming under the skin of the lip, and I thought I was going to have another 2-week episode. Woke up this morning, and the swelling was down and yellow gone! Really amazing!"

• muc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I am pregnant and found out I had genital herpes on New Year's Eve from my boyfriend giving me oral sex with a cold sore on his lip. It burned so bad when I went pee. I had painful blisters and bumps and awful itching with a nasty discharge and swelling. OB-GYN gave me Valtrex 1 gm to take twice a day. On day one, the painful swelling I had in my labia went down a lot. By day two, the burning was gone and the big blisters went down until they were super small. The itching also got a lot better. Day three, blisters and bumps scabbed over. It's now day four and all I had left is dried-up tiny scabs over where two of the blisters were and they don't hurt at all. Bumps are gone. Basically, my vagina looks and feels almost normal again."

• Cin...
• November 17, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "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."

• ste...
• January 5, 2015

For Cold Sores "I've been getting cold sores for a while now, and before Valtrex, none of the creams would help, and I wouldn't notice a difference. Now when I feel a little bump, I take Valtrex right away, 4 pills ASAP, then another 4 a few hours later. If I catch it early enough, it won't go past the little bump and will be cleared up by the next day. If I catch it a little too late (sometimes they like to show up while I'm sleeping), I still take Valtrex and I will get the outbreak, but no swelling, blister. Still clears in 3 days. I also use Polysporin patches. This stuff is the closest thing to a cure right now. My doctor says to take 1 pill a day around the times of the year I usually get them, and sometimes I can go a year or a year and a half without one."

• Ibe...
• April 7, 2016

For Cold Sores "After being sick with bronchitis and upper respiratory infection for about 2 weeks, I woke up one morning with cold sores overtaking my whole top lip. I've always taken Lysine, and that helps cut back on the length of time for healing when I just have one cold sore. This time, the swelling and pain of having multiple cold sores was just too much to handle. I phoned my doctor and explained that my top lip was so swollen and that eating and drinking had become painful. The doctor called in a prescription of 2 a day Valtrex. I took the first one yesterday around noon, by 6 pm, the swelling and pain had already gone down. This morning I woke up, and while the blisters are still there, it's like it reversed all the sores. No pain or swelling. Just healing!!"

• Ano...
• August 6, 2018

For Cold Sores "I started to get cold sores about 1x/year starting 10 years ago. Tried everything (Zovirax etc.), nothing worked. I already had Valacyclovir on hand and ready, though it had never worked because I hadn’t taken the right dosage. I would only take 500 mg 2x a day - no help! A friend told me I had to take more than 500 mg. I felt it tingling 3 nights ago, took 1 g. The next morning, it was still tingling, took another 1 g. It still tingled, and bumps were forming. Then I found this thread, saw everyone took 2 g, so I took 2 g that night (2 nights ago now). The next morning, tiny bumps were still there, and it was swollen and tingling crazy. I took a 2nd batch of 2 g yesterday morning. Over the day, the swelling went down, and the bumps flattened. Tingling lessened a bit. It never turned bright red. Today it’s gone, though I swear I can feel a slight tingle, may take a lighter dose to prevent it from returning. I never thought it would work. Take 2 g twice. I have the generic brand, not the actual “Valtrex.” Crisis diverted!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 17, 2016

For Cold Sores "I've had cold sores since I was 8. I would get them every 2 months, and they would last about 2 weeks before they were completely gone. My dentist prescribed me Valtrex. If I take it at the first hour of feeling a cold sore coming on, it works great. I don't get the little blisters that form on the lip, it just feels a little swollen. It goes away after 3 days. Unfortunately, it doesn't work once the blisters have formed. So if you get a cold sore in the morning and only get home at 8 pm to take the Valtrex, it won't work the same way. So I always have it in my purse just in case. Lifesaver."

• Fan...
• November 8, 2013

For Cold Sores "I was in school around 8:00 and started to feel a tingling sensation. By 10:00, I knew it was a cold sore. I had basketball practice after school until 7:30, so I couldn't use it as soon as I felt it. When I got home, I took one pill, went to bed, and took another in the morning. It's the next day, and the swelling has gone down tremendously, and it's already getting flat. By tomorrow, it will probably be gone."

• Van...
• January 2, 2016

For Cold Sores "I had a terrible outbreak. My chin felt red and swollen. I had sores and pus really bad. As soon as it was healed, I would break out again. This lasted for six months. I had been to my family doctor and several dermatologists, finally, I met with a dermatologist who prescribed Valtrex. What a lifesaver. With school starting again Monday, I was stressing out. I could feel my chin start to swell, so I decided to get a refill and try it. It worked! Yesterday, my chin felt swollen and sore, and I was starting to get red bumps under my bottom lip. I took 2 in the afternoon and 2 more when I went to bed, and this morning it seems to be gone! No swelling and no red bumps!! Thank you to whoever invented this miracle drug!!"

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

For Cold Sores "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."

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

For Cold Sores "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)."

• Rae...
• July 4, 2021

For Cold Sores "Recently had a breakout, I haven’t had one in almost two years. The last time I had one, I went to urgent care, and the doctor prescribed me Valtrex. I was a couple of days into the outbreak, but I saw a MAJOR difference it made in symptoms such as pain and swelling. This past Monday, a bump appeared on my bottom lip, and I took Valtrex. Anyone who has experienced these outbreaks knows how painful and embarrassing they are. So, of course, my mind just went to a sad place. LUCKILY, Valtrex kicked in right away! I didn’t have the awful swelling or pain! Only one blister came about and wept. Got a scab on day three, and it has basically gone now…the scab fell off last night. So what would have lasted 10 days cleared up in 7, and that’s probably only because I waited to take it rather than right away. Already got my prescription refilled. I’m so happy I was introduced to something that not only relieves symptoms but clears up these nasty breakouts quickly!"

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2011

For Cold Sores "I have around 6 or more cold sore episodes a year - they are terrible. I finally tried Valtrex, and it's amazing. I took it just as I noticed a red spot forming. I took 2g and then 2g 12 hours later. The cold sore still formed the next day but never got 'crusty' - just redness and slight swelling. It was basically gone in 4-5 days. I think next time I'll take it for 2 days to see if that works better. I've tried the prescription creams, but they didn't always work well for me. I'm a believer in Valtrex. Wish I had this years ago."

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2011

For Cold Sores "Went to the beach, stayed in the sun way too long, and the next 2 days I got these fever blisters/cold sores. I was so upset until I found this medication! It really works; it gets rid of all the swelling, redness, pus/scab. Basically, if you feel the tingling, take it ASAP! It WILL help and relieve your mind, thinking 'all I have is this Abreva!' Well, use both, and it'll be gone no later than 4-5 days, and that's a lot better than 1-2 weeks left untreated."

• dem...
• November 12, 2011

For Cold Sores "Valtrex is fantastic if used correctly for cold sores. For adults, the dose is 2 grams at the first symptom of a cold sore, followed by 2 grams 12 hours later. That's it. Now the key is getting that first dose right when you feel the first symptom (tingling, burning, swelling, etc.). This medicine has worked great for me and usually prevents the sore from breaking the skin, thus no one even knowing I was getting a cold sore. Anyone who gets cold sores knows how awful they are and how long they take to heal. I have not had as much success with acyclovir. Be sure you always have some Valtrex on hand. If you wait until you get a cold sore before calling the doctor, it's probably too late, but take it anyway to reduce healing time."

• Col...
• July 18, 2012

For Cold Sores "I woke up Day 1 with a tightened lip. I reached for the Abreva, I put it on 5x a day the first day. I woke up, the cold sore was twice its size, my lip was so swollen. Day 2 I started using 200 mg of acyclovir, it seemed to help a little bit, not much. After speaking back with my doctor, he decided to give me Valtrex 2000 mg 2x a day for 1 day. After my first dose, I noticed my lip wasn't as swollen. I take my second dose tonight at 11. I will keep you guys updated on how I'm doing! I hope it works as good as everyone says!"