Acyclovir for Herpes Simplex (HSV) User Reviews (Page 2)

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2018

"My fiancé and I discovered, in the beginning of our relationship, that we both had genital herpes. My first outbreak was the ABSOLUTE worst experience; I was so sick. We suffered for 2 years, had constant breakouts, and then finally we decided to both respectively take acyclovir. Doses are 800 mg tablet every day, and honest to goodness, it was a miracle drug. We have been on it for 3 months now, and except for an occasional itch here and there that lasts for a day and then goes away, neither of us have had the lesions or the terrible symptoms. We do not take it when we feel symptoms; instead, we take 800 mg every day, possibly for the rest of our lives, but that's okay so long as we never have to experience another outbreak!!"

• Bal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 19, 2020

"I was getting many cold sores every year. I would take Acyclovir as soon as the numbness started. It never shortened the duration; never had any effect on the pain. The cold sores just kept getting worse. The doctor finally put me on a stronger anti-viral. It did nothing either. I only got headaches from the anti-virals. I finally decided to try vitamin D. I haven't had a cold sore in at least 2 years."

• ocs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2012

"I used to get cold sores rarely, but more stress, and it's been a nightmare! On top of that, I kept missing work whenever I got breakouts (for a week at a time) because I'm a spokesmodel. I started to get desperate because I couldn't be reliable for work and started losing huge amounts of my income. Plus, cold sores are a major bummer to go through. Finally talked to my doctor. I've been taking only 200 mg a day. Then, a few days ago, I took a chance and tanned my face, and whammo, I started getting a breakout. As soon as it came on, I dosed up the acyclovir and iced it for 2 hours. This stopped the sore in its tracks. It disappeared completely, and I am cold sore free! I can't tell you how relieved I am at how well this medicine works!"

• Hey...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2019

"Have had HSV2 for 30 years and take Acyclovir 400 mg for episodic outbreaks. In the 'early years,' I used Zovirax ointment, which is very good, but the tablets are better as you take the medication early, before the dreadful outbreak, in the form of Acyclovir 400 mg, 2-3 times daily for 3-5 days has been an unbelievable blessing. It is a horrible disease, but Acyclovir makes it bearable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2017

"I'm 48, and I was diagnosed with genital herpes when I was 35. I started dating a new guy, and within 2 weeks, I felt horrible burning when I urinated. I went to my midwives, and sure enough, I had herpes. The funny thing is I wasn't with anyone prior to him, and I was with him for 6 years, and not once did he ever test positive. They actually claim I could have had it on my face, touched it, and touched my genitals without washing my hands and transferred it. The outbreaks are less and less over the years, but when I feel one coming, I take acyclovir 500mg 2x daily. It helps right away. And I use a squirt bottle with warm water as I urinate to help reduce the burning."

• HSV...
• July 1, 2016

"This stuff works great. I had my initial outbreak last year and thankfully had no pain, just itchiness. Got the sores and went to the doc - 800 mg 3 times a day for 10 days. Within three days, maybe even two, they completely shrank and I could barely see them. By the 5th day, completely gone. A few days ago, 3 bumps appeared and I got another RX. On the third day and it is completely gone. Maybe some gastrointestinal discomfort as a side effect, but that might have been due to my crappy diet the last few days too :)"

• jls...
• July 25, 2008

Acyclovir "I have been taking Zovirax for over 12 years, 400 mg each night at bedtime. I have only had a few outbreaks, caused by kissing my husband who had outbreaks. On doctor's orders, I am to increase to 800 mg each night at bedtime when I do have an outbreak, or when I'm not feeling well. Other viruses can set off a cold sore attack."

• Han...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 5, 2018

"After trying a lot of different things, Acyclovir is definitely what you need to be taking ASAP. As soon as you feel any tingling at all. If you are unfortunate enough to have reached the weeping sores phase, I found the only thing to soothe the pain was salt water with black tea. Pop a tea bag in with hot, very salty water and cleanse your intimate area once cool enough. Sounds mad, but you'll thank me after!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2015

"I'm 25 years old. When I first realized something was wrong was when I felt like I had a cut down in my genital area. I then realized there was a new form of a bump, and then the itching came along and the burning sensation when I used the restroom. I decided to see the clinic because I knew something was wrong. She ran tests, which I am still waiting for to come in this week, but from what she said, it looks like herpes. She prescribed me acyclovir 400 mg this past Monday, which was two days ago. I have to take one every 12 hours. It seems to work for so long, like a few hours, but I am still feeling the pain, and I feel like more bumps have appeared. I'm terrified. I still have a burning sensation."

• Slo...
• August 8, 2019

"So I am 65 and haven’t had an outbreak for 4 years. In the past couple of days, I’ve had a burning sensation that comes and goes. It’s in a different place than I’ve ever had it. There is absolutely nothing to see, no blisters or sores. But it is so tender I’m lying around with ice on my crotch. My jean shorts were painful to the area. I have the Acyclovir on hand, but how do I know if it’s a herpes outbreak? It almost feels like it’s bruised. Again, nothing visible. Is this a giant outbreak waiting to surface? Is it harmful to take a course of it “just to be safe?”"

• Krr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2016

Acyclovir "I had a sudden onset of cold sores, and a new one was appearing each day. I am on immunosuppressants, so my body just can't fight this virus on its own. After 5 days, I went to my doctor. This medication was amazing-within 24-48 hrs, the blisters were crusting over. The swelling and redness were decreasing as well. I am on 400 mg 3 x daily for 10 days. I am currently on day 6. For the first few days, I would feel lightheaded (not dizzy) for a few hours after each dose, but that has gone away now. No nausea when taken with food. I did have a few mild headaches, but that was because I was not drinking enough fluid. As soon as I hydrated, headaches were gone. My doctor gave me 2 refills, so next time I feel the onset, I can start treatment right away."

• Ohh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

"Stress is no good for people with HSV-2, it activates the virus. I’ve had a rash for about 3 months. Until I got fed up and missed seeing my privates clean and smooth, I took a trip to my gyno, and she prescribed me acyclovir twice a day, and it’s almost clearing up! On my 5th day of taking the pill."

• Ble...
• August 19, 2019

"I've been using acyclovir for some time now. Sadly, I am noticing that it takes longer to work when I am having an outbreak, and I am also noticing outbreaks in different places I never had them before. My hair is beginning to fall out, which I was never told was a side effect. I am stressing even more, having to deal with those, which is causing more frequent outbreaks."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

"If you take it right at the start of an outbreak, it works really well. The sores that have already formed will disappear in about a week, and it will completely stop any other sores from forming after the first dose. The only issue is that it makes me feel really ill. I feel nauseated all day, have diarrhea, and completely lose my appetite."

• sld...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 19, 2021

"I have had this for 10 years or longer, and I wanted to let people know about Acyclovir and Valacyclovir and my experience with them both. I only read one review that mentioned this, and it's on the Valacyclovir side of reviews from 2019. So I was first given Acyclovir 200 mg, 2 pills, 3 times a day, which I really never needed to take that many to clear up my symptoms. I didn't want to take that many if I didn't need them and become used to them, because we all know how an outbreak can be. Fast forward to 6-2021, I went to my doctor for a check-up on all meds, and we discussed trying Valacyclovir 500 mg. I thought, why not? It's newer and supposed to last longer, not having to take as many pills, I was all for it. Well, if it's not broke, don't fix it, because I had a flare-up. It didn't go away, not near as good as with a dose of Acyclovir capsules. So I called and told the doctor I wanted the Acyclovir back, the other didn't work for me. So beware, newer or stronger is not always better."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

Acyclovir "Zovirax is my first choice for the treatment of cold sores, which I've had since I was a young girl. Using it in conjunction with Abreva helps promote healing from within the sores and eliminates the crusty/scabbing that comes with cold sores. Abreva is best used at the first sign of any itching (that familiar feeling of onset). Apply as directed on the bottle, and your cold sore will be gone without anyone noticing you even have one. I am just getting over one, and with Abreva alone, it took three days, no scabbing or crusty formation making it unsightly and causing embarrassment."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2011

Acyclovir "I used to have cold sores all the time when I was a child, either when exposed to too much cold or when exposed to too much heat. Finally, I found a doctor who gave me a prescription (just a few years ago, I'm already an adult), and the doctor prescribed Zovirax 200 mg 5x a day for 5 days. When I am able to take the medicine as soon as I feel the blister forming, the blister will only last for a day; it will grow and then burst and crust over within twenty-four hours, so I've never really had to take the medication for more than 2-3 days. Very thankful for this medicine."

• She...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 24, 2020

"I'm 74 years old. First diagnosed 40 years ago, so I've been using Zovirax and acyclovir cream for a while. Both have been effective in eliminating or reducing outbreaks, especially if applied at the very first signs of an oncoming event. I haven't had a cold sore in that time because I apply the cream when I feel any tingling or raised skin surface. Very little cream is needed to be effective, but several applications a day work best."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2019

"I had a rash on my hand that my doctor thought (misdiagnosed) was shingles. I was prescribed acyclovir, and I had a severe allergic reaction. It turns out it was dyshidrosis (pompholyx) blisters on my hands from stress. Chickenpox/shingles are viral, you do not need to take anything except pain medication. I suffered with hives all over my body the size of dinner plates, it felt like I was being burned alive. I was throwing up, lost weight, and my skin/face began to show signs of jaundice. I thought I might be fatal at one point, my skin began to thin to the point I was seeing the coloration of muscle underneath. I still have scars from it. I had these terrible hives for three months until I was given a steroid shot and montelukast. It was a terrible allergic reaction, and this medication is known to cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), Google it because it is terrifying. The hives were gone in 24 hours after getting the steroid shot. Do not take this medication, you could get SJS, which can be the end of your life or ruin your life."

• lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

"Unfortunately, my ex-boyfriend intentionally and knowingly gave me herpes. The first breakout was horrible, I had to go to the emergency room. They prescribed me acyclovir 400 mg 4x daily. It definitely works, and it works fast. I had no side effects at all. I always keep it on me, and I am to take 200 mg 5x daily if I start to have another breakout."

• Get...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2022

"Diagnosed with HSV2 11 years ago. Never received information on tablets I could take. Searched for a natural remedy. An active gym enthusiast and going through the stresses in life, I had outbreaks nearly every other month that lasted weeks. Tea tree oil stung like anything; L-Lysine sometimes worked, but I'd have to take 6000mg+ every day, which made me tired. Hot baths did nothing either. Smoking and drinking definitely assisted in causing outbreaks. I cut these two out as it had health benefits being in my mid-30s. Exercise of any sort resulted in outbreaks. Manscaping would cause outbreaks too. Depression was getting worse; I had no sex life and I needed to be me. Not a fan of prescribed medicine and avoided the doctor's being 'manly,' but I thought, what the heck, after seeing reviews on this site, and it's saved my life. 10+ years of depression gone in an instant! 400mg once or twice per day. A lot of people have HSV2, and it could be worse. Stay positive! Time to catch up for lost time."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2011

"Two days ago, I found out I have genital herpes. This is the second day I've been taking Acyclovir. It's been working good so far. The stinging while urinating has gone away, but not so much. I still have cold sores, but hope that Acyclovir gets rid of them. I'm praying that this works."

• Thr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2020

"I was diagnosed with herpes this year after getting it from my partner. I had a fairly bad first outbreak on my inner labia and just presumed it to be from shaving, but I went to a sexual health clinic and got diagnosed. This medicine has been so helpful. Anytime I have a tingling/throbbing sensation, I take it, and it works wonders. I’m currently taking it at the moment, and the only real side effect I have is having a headache!"

• mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

"I have been on this pill now for three days after suffering an attack for almost a week. I am feeling much better. The tingling and itching have reduced. Anti-itch medicated cream from the 99-cent store really helped with the itching. I am just a little tired and feel a little achy. I will take that any time than the feeling of this painful virus."

• Van...
• February 25, 2015

"Acyclovir 800 mg tab 4 times a day for 5 days. The first pill stopped the cold sore in its tracks, it immediately stopped growing with just the first pill. On the second day, the tingling phase stopped, they erupted, and by the end of the 2nd day, they were drying out. I had to stop at the end of day 2 due to this medicine being too strong for my stomach. I ended up with a gastritis flare-up, terrible stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. If it weren't for that, this medicine would get 10/10!"