Valacyclovir for Cold Sores User Reviews (Page 5)

• jujuj...
• September 7, 2014

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "It certainly keeps it from being worse but still doesn't nip it totally in the bud no matter how soon you take it. I'm grateful this last bout didn't end up on the skin, but even though I took it within minutes of feeling just the tingling, it still sprouted. Could have been worse I guess. I am thankful I had it in stock."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I have had cold sores since I was a little kid and I'm always super mad and shocked a lot of the time that I wake up and find one. You would think after getting them forever that you would KNOW when you are getting one. Have used Zovirax, then Abreva became available and if you could time it right it worked AWESOME. I'm a smoker so I frequently spread the cold sores around my mouth, just as one is healing another will show up. Two months of continuous cold sores hurts and is embarrassing. My friend told me about Valtrex a year ago after having cold sore after cold sore. After the first dose the sore shriveled up, second dose they were scabbed and healing. Huge help with the pain factor too. Amazing, if you haven't already, TRY IT!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 2, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I got my first cold sore when I was 3 years old. I am now 36, and have tried every topical ointment available over that time frame, both prescription and OTC. If you have recurrent cold sores you know all too well the stress associated with having one. A few years ago my doctors MA suggested I take a sample of Valtex, keep it on hand, and when I first sense a cold sore coming, take 1 gram, then wait 12 hours and take another gram, and do this for 2 full days - or 4 total doses. I was nearly sore free in 2 days. It works best if you catch it early, but still can be effective on a developed sore. I now ask my doctor for a 30 pill supply and keep it at the ready. I find I fill it once a year."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I've had cold sores since I was a kid and have only recently started taking Valtrex but I have to say, this stuff is a game changer! I usually get a cold sore about once a year and it last any where from a week to two weeks. I'm an entertainer so they always seem to pop up right around a big gig so you can imagine the anguish it creates. I eat healthy and workout regularly so that cuts down on their frequency but they still occasionally pop up. My doctor recently prescribed me the medication and I had completely forgotten about it until I woke up the day before a big gig with a significant bump and serious redness. I immediately took two 1mg tablets and two more later before bed in conjunction with abreva. By morning it was gone!"

• Danie...
• April 17, 2017

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Valtrex is amazing! I have suffered my whole life from cold sores, usually covering with makeup, alcohol, abreva (obviously nothing worked) then my doctor suggested valtrex which is phenomenal!!!! My outbreaks only last maybe 3 days compared to 8-12!"

• okay24i
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

"Sad to say I thought this would work since many people claim its life saving. Took the 2 pills 2 x a day 1g each and it only made it worse. Even tried acyclavoir 400 mg and nothing helps. It has only gotten bigger and more fluid filled bumps visible. Also I never get it on my right lip only left side and after taking acyclavoir I got my first right side sore."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2009

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I have been taking Valtrex for the past 3 months or so with no outbreaks. I have been dealing with cold sores for over 10 years and this past year was what made me talk to my doctor about getting a prescription. I typically get them when it's cold outside, my immune system is down, or I am stressed. So far so good. I take them everyday with my pill box so I can remember. Works wonders so far. I hate those little buggers, this has been a life saver during the times I have been stressed."

• Satis...
• February 4, 2016

"This medicine works period. I've always had cold sore or for as long as I can remember. On 2/2/16 I felt that tingling we all know about. And remembered my primary Doc had given me a prescription. He told me to keep it handy. I took two in the morning 1 mg each and two in the evening. I can't say how happy I am. By the second day I usually won't leave the house because my lip gets so big I can't even speak or laugh. Well today is my second day and my cold sore is barely noticeable. I wish I could post pics. It's amazing. The only side effect I got was a weird headache, but I can put up with a headache if the results are amazing like what I got. Ask your doctor for this if you haven't yet. Love it, love it, love it!"

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

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I have had cold sores since I was 3 or 4, but only in the past couple 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)."

• ashamed...
• October 16, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I kissed a girl with cold sores when I was 17. I get cold sores on my lip whenever I am sick or very stressed. It happens more during the winter months. It took 18 months from my contamination until my 1st outbreak. I had outbreaks once per year for 3 years, then twice per year for 3 years. Now that I am 35 I get 4 outbreaks per year. I take 2 grams on Valtrax when I first feel tingly then 1 gram the next day (24 hours). This totally prevents my outbreaks! Valtrax works great! Also, do not share food, drinks, or kiss anyone while you have a cold sore. It is very contagious! Keep your kids safe."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I have been getting cold sores since I was a little girl the doctor always told me that it was virus in my system that I had to deal with it but last month I got valacyclovir and it is the best thing I have ever used. The cold sore is gone in two days. I have cold sores for about 30 years and I am glad that whoever come up with this medicine THANK YOU SO EVERY MUCH."

• Doodl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

"26 years old, have had cold sore flare-ups 1-2x per year since I was a kid. This is my second time using generic valacyclovir for a cold sore and it is utterly ineffective. In fact, after taking the first dose while still in the "tingly" stage, a SECOND and THIRD blister formed. I have NEVER had multiple sores at once before. Tried taking 2 grams every 12 hours based on reviews I've read; still no improvement. Now I'm going to lose my perfect attendance record at work because I can't face customers while I look like this. (I took name brand Valtrex once before when I had a good job, insurance through my company, and enough income to afford Rx copays. Valtrex annihilated a cold sore within 48 hours. Guess those of us with less than stellar income don't deserve the same standard of care as everyone else!)"

• AHW
• September 30, 2020

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Woke to a hard lump which was a few small lumps about to turn into a big cold sore. Took the Valtrex right away and every 12 hours and it never even busted open or got bigger. Been 24 hours and it’s barely noticeable. Best thing for HSV1!"

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2010

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Thanks for the feedback. It has helped me feel better. I'm getting married in a day and a half and woke up this morning with an outbreak! I was so bummed out, so I made an appointment with the doctor immediately. She prescribed Valtrex, and it has been 7 hours since I took the 2 grams and its already starting to work! I hope I wake up and the blisters are all gone! "

• Nikki
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2022

"If you have cold sores you know how horrible and (for me) depressing they can be. I've taken this medication about 3x now in the last year and a half and it's been absolute livesaver! Yesterday I was at work on my lunch break I felt like I had a sore coming in on the corner of my mouth. I instantly jumped on Goodrx and got the prescription sent to my local pharmacy. I took 2 pills right when I was off work around 5:15pm. I also took 1000mg of lysine and a B complex (this seems to help for me). Before bed I put tea tree oil and a Mederma patch on the spot. When I woke up this morning the spot was completely flat and a little crusty, already healing and barely noticeable. This medication REALLY speeds up the healing process, I'd say instead of a 2 week sore, it cuts it down to about 3-5 days max. In 24 hours it completely dries out the sore, in 48 hours the sore is 90% gone. Not to mention it takes away the pain, swelling and weeping. Only side effect is a slight headache!"

• Monie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2023

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I use this medication as soon as I feel a tingle. I don't let it get bad or out of control. As soon as I take it, I notice the tingling stops. It's a very good medication for cold sores. I recommend it."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Valtrex works. Around Christmas I got a cold sore and didn't have any on hand and wasn't able to get any - and that cold sore was the worst I've had in ages. It lasted a good 10 days and was huge. I've always taken Valtrex as soon as I feel one coming on, and it has always knocked it out almost immediately. It stops it in its tracks and the healing begins. The difference between using Valtrex and not using it, in my experience, is night and day. I highly recommend always having it on hand. 2 grams for the first dose, then 2 grams 12 hours later has always worked for me."

• Silly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2020

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT HELPED SHORTEN THE LIFE OF MY COLD SORE so I felt I had to share because I tried it after reading a review similar to mine! Instead of the usual 2 weeks it takes to get rid of mine, it took 6 days!!!! Life changing. Good luck! You’re not alone! So many people have this! I took 2 of the pills twice a day for 2 days I think. The. I took one everyday after even though my doc told me to take one twice a day for 2 days and that was it. But I read other people’s reviews and they took it the way I did- and their doc told them to take that way. If it stops multiplying and changing then stop taking it. If it starts to flare up again, take another."

• hadth...
• October 31, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "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 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."

• Valtr...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2017

"I LOVE this medication!!! I have suffered with cold sores since I was an infant, and it has always been something I just "dealt with"... AKA stay home from school, miss work, hide from the world for 2 weeks 2-4 times a year.. I was prescribed this medication in my late teens and it truly is a miracle drug! I take it as soon as I feel a tingle, or as soon as I see something pop up and it will either A: Get rid of it before it pops up, or B: limit it to the size it is currently and make it go away fast! I always keep some on hand!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2017

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I'm 19 years old and I've been getting cold sores ever since I was young...the last few years I would get them a couple times a month sometimes a new one every week. I've been taking valtrex for a few months now and I've gotten only 3 times (which is a major improvement) because I was sick and my immune system was down. But they went away after a day or so. I'm so so happy"

• Darlene
• November 9, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I am 21 years old and I've been getting cold sores since I even remember. I am a new yorker so every winter there I am bound to wake up with multiple cold sores! My term saw me one day and prescribed me Valtrex. Life saver! It stops the itching and by the next day your cold sore is gone! I have tried everything else. "

• oma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I have had cold sores since I have been a child. I would get them about every six weeks. I would treat them as soon as,I felt the the tingle.. A year ago I was getting tests done in preparation for a trip to Germany.. I had a fever blister. Dr prescribed Valtrex.. I took one pill for two days... I have not had another break out in over a year..miracle for me."

• Valtrex...
• August 12, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Let me start by saying (1) I'm compulsive in terms of researching everything (2) I get the worst cold sores known to man and my lip blows up about 4x. With all that said, Valtrex is the real deal. A cold sore is a Virus (as I'm sure you all know by now) that injects its own foreign DNA into your cells which in turn mutates them which is why you get a cold sore - the way Valtrex works is by blocking the viruses ability to inject its own DNA into your cells. So, if you take Valtrex at the FIRST sign of "tingling", you may never develop a cold sore. I on the other hand developed a sore this past Tuesday (took Valtrex too late), have been taking Valtrex every 12 hours since, and it is now Friday, my lip is fully deflated and scabbed."

• Lippy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2021

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Valtrex is amazing! I take 2,000mg 2x a day 12hrs apart at first outbreak & it either completely goes away or only lasts a few days instead of 2 weeks. If you get it early at burning, tingling stage, you won't get one at all. Prior to Valtrex I was taking Famvir, but they didn't work for me. So glad my doctor prescribed this medication... I only buy the brand as I find the efficacy better than generics"