Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex, Suppression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

Valacyclovir "Did not work, actually seemed to make it worse, if that's even possible. Also, had the worst side effects - made me incredibly tired. Acyclovir works better for me, but I'm still getting multiple outbreaks a month (short-lived) while on suppressive therapy. I can see I'm not the only one. If anyone reads this, I've read about a possible therapeutic vaccine that's actually going to hold human clinical trials in the UK soon. To push for more therapies or vaccine studies, we have to reach out to government officials insisting that there be more effective treatments. Either the virus has become more virulent or the drugs have become less potent...who knows."

• Joa...
• April 12, 2017

Valacyclovir "This drug has been 100% effective. I first started taking 500 mg and had just had mild outbreaks, decided to up the dose to 1 mg a day and had no outbreaks since then. Highly recommend taking it for those who experience more than 12 outbreaks a year."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

"I took Valtrex at the beginning of symptoms of blister, 500 mg, dose of 2 pills per day for 3 days, and it worked, but symptoms came back after a month or so. I got some advice from an alternative medicine doctor, he recommended dropping red and white meat, actually no animal protein, mostly vegetables and grains. I did it, and it's been about 6 months I have not seen any symptoms or breakouts, no pills either. It worked great for me so far. Meat has high levels of arginine protein, which the virus needs to replicate, so avoiding it helps stop the virus - you can also take lysine, which helps too."

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2015

Valacyclovir "So after reading these reviews, I feel a little better about taking Valtrex. I just took my first 500 mg dose for HSV-1 that has been recurring in my nose over the last 2 years (thank you, nose piercer). I read that it has the potential to travel up into my sinuses and, in rare cases, can cause fatal outbreaks in the brain. I can't tell you the kind of depression I fell into after I read that... It was all I could think about for weeks until I could get in to the doctor. I'm hoping it works as well for me as it seems to for all of you. Fingers crossed."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2016

Valacyclovir "I was unfortunately diagnosed in February 2015 with HSV-2 when I experienced my first outbreak. It was horrible and devastating. I continued to get outbreaks monthly until I had enough and finally went to my doctor in July of 2015. He put me on a 1-gram dose of Valtrex daily, and I have not had an outbreak since. This drug is a total lifesaver. Couldn't be happier with the results."

• yog...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 8, 2022

Valacyclovir "I have had herpes 1 and 2 for more than 10 years now. Here are some tips for you. I forget I even have this. 1. Keep that area clean. 2. Drink a lot of fluids, as this is a strong drug. Don't cut out salt, you need it on this drug. Drink lots of electrolytes on this. 3. Neem oil applied on outbreaks will help you tremendously. Look up the benefits of neem on the prevention of transmission. You can even apply it before sex if you're really concerned about transmission. 4. Take your pill every day. Get a pill case. 5. Try to avoid stress. 6. You'll forget you have it on this medication. 7. I have been married many years, and my partner still hasn't got it."

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2018

"Amazing drug, been using it during outbreaks for 2 years. Clears up within 3 days normally, and I never get open sores while taking it. This drug has made my life so much better during outbreaks. If you don't have insurance, though, it can cost you $300 plus for a bottle. My advice is to shop around pharmacies first. I started out 1000 mg 3x a day the first time. Now I only take 500 mg 2x a day for 3 days and I'm good to go. All hope is not lost just because you were unlucky enough to get genital herpes. Each year, the outbreaks happen less and less and are never as bad as the first two. It gets better, stay positive."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2016

Valacyclovir "I can remember getting my first outbreak around 14 years old, I had suffered from chickenpox in my younger days. I didn't know what to do about these sores. I was so embarrassed going to school, would even cry. My parents never took me to the doctor for this. This continued throughout my adult life. In 2012, I went to the Bahamas for vacation. Laid out in the sun, enjoyed the ocean. Woke up to tingling...couple hours later, a gigantic blister. It was so ugly. Tried to suppress it with alcohol or Sea Breeze, that's all I had then. As I took flight, seemed like it got even bigger and the itching was unbearable. That was enough. The beginning of this year I finally sought medical attention. When I say the generic Valtrex is great...! It is!"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2016

Valacyclovir "I gotta say it really works - I thought I had a bad heat rash, but it wasn't clearing up. I finally asked my mom to take me to the hospital, and when they told me what it was, I said no way and how - I still wonder why it was me out of everyone I got it - makes you feel horrible inside - but it's not the end - I've got a boyfriend who supports me through all this - thankfully he doesn't have it, and doctors said I might have gotten it from a past boyfriend - but they gave me a shot in the hip and 4000 mg of Valtrex - I went home still thinking I did not have it and that it was just a basic rash - stopped putting ointments on it and stopped all treatments I did. It started to clear up - lab result later said I was positive - I cried - Valtrex does work!"

• jar...
• December 3, 2011

Valacyclovir "I have HSV-2 since about 22, and at about age 26, Valtrex became available. I have taken 1 gram daily (somewhat consistent) until about 2.5 years ago. It was great, and I didn't have one single outbreak in almost 14 years, nor did my two long-term ex's get the virus. Unfortunately, I developed an allergic reaction from long-term use and can no longer tolerate it without a major skin rash, major itching, hypersensitivity, and also had some hair thinning. I'm trying Famvir, but so far I'm back to having outbreaks. I have gone on and off the medicine 6-7 times, and within weeks have had negative symptoms, which subside within days of discontinuing."

• Mar...
• March 20, 2016

Valacyclovir "Had my first outbreak about two weeks ago, it was excruciatingly painful. Couldn't urinate without being in the bathtub or running water over the sores. This outbreak had been going on for a whole two weeks almost, so I went to my doctor, and she prescribed me Valtrex 500 mg, 2x a day. By the second day of taking the medication, the burning while urinating went away. I am now on day 6, and the sores are almost all gone. I have maybe one left, but there's little to no feeling in it. This was my first outbreak, and I just turned 21, it flared up right after I got the flu and had a high fever. Apparently, HSV can stay dormant in your body for some time until your immune system is shot, but I'm finally feeling normal again, and the meds for sure work."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

"I was diagnosed with HSV-1 and HSV-2 one year ago. I had my first outbreak when I had a vaccine shot. I was experiencing outbreaks twice a month, so I decided to get on medication daily. I started taking 1g valacyclovir. Yet, on medication, I was still experiencing outbreaks, usually during the time I was ending my menstrual cycle. I do have an autoimmune condition, might this be the reason why I’m having constant outbreaks? Does this occur to anyone else?"

• Cin...
• November 17, 2016

Valacyclovir "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."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2016

Valacyclovir "I found out I had genital HSV-1 about a month ago. I have never seen a sore or bump of any kind down there, but I experienced a burning that I compared to being cut, literally. The doctor found a lesion by the vaginal opening that looked like little paper cuts, apparently. Anyhow, the 500 mg Valtrex 1× daily started helping after 2 weeks. The weird nerve-like sensations I was experiencing were all gone after 3 weeks. The only negative side effect is fatigue after I take the dose."

• Ksc...
• October 1, 2015

Valacyclovir "I get cold sores very badly on my upper lip (doctors are even surprised how bad it gets), so I am prescribed Valtrex 1000 mg. I love it! It takes away all of the pain overnight and helps speed up the process very fast. I've also found if I catch my cold sores soon enough, I take my normal dose, and it doesn't appear! This medicine is an absolute Godsend, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who struggles with the same or similar symptoms, as we all know how awful Herpes Simplex can be."

• LL...
• August 14, 2015

Valacyclovir "I've had HSV1 since birth. My whole life suffering from terrible outbreaks. My entire mouth, tongue, and cheeks covered in giant cold sores. I would get about three single outbreaks a year and, every two years or so, have an outbreak of at least five cold sores at once. High school was hell, I was always trying to make up excuses like 'an allergic reaction' or 'I fell down' to avoid the accusations of 'girl with herpes.' Finally, when I was 18, it was a week before Halloween, and, of course, a giant outbreak! Finally, I went to the doctor, and she told me about Valtrex. I had seen it on TV and thought, 'I don't have genital herpes,' and was almost embarrassed to be prescribed it. I took the doctor's advice, and literally within a couple of days, it was gone. It works!!"

• Ble...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 27, 2016

"I have been taking valacyclovir every day for 7 years and haven't had an outbreak since my very first outbreak. I'm almost happily married and haven't passed the virus to my wife of 5 years. We gave birth to my daughter, who is also virus-free. I have truly been blessed, and thanks to God and this medicine."

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

Valacyclovir "I am 60 years old, female, have had many very painful breakouts over the last 15 yrs. I have a weakened immune system. Finally, after two breakouts within 2 months, I am now on 500 mg valacyclovir every night. So far, no problems except I have gained weight and feel tired all the time, but I take other medicines that cause this also. I recommend it highly."

• Val...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2019

"Okay, so I had been suffering from this condition (herpes 2) for 16 years. Every GP I went to couldn't figure out what I had. I tried to research my symptoms online with no luck until recently. I made a self-diagnosis, went to the doctor for a blood test, and voila, mystery solved. Prior to figuring this out, I would have frequent outbreaks and treat it myself with Canesten cream that would clear up the condition within 3 days. However, within 2 weeks, hello, back again! Arg. For me, sugar was the trigger food. I gave up sugar and the outbreaks were less frequent. Now I am taking Valtrex 500 mg and have been experiencing headaches, although my symptoms have completely disappeared. I am wondering if 1/2 the dosage would work."

• Ear...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2015

Valacyclovir "I have MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) and had suffered with outbreaks for years (1/month). Because of MCS, my body can turn a medication into a poison, so I was always too afraid to seek a remedy. When outbreaks became too frequent, I caved in under duress. My gyno prescribed Valtrex (not the generic) because the generics are inconsistent. I took one 500mg pill per day. This medication rocks! I took it for almost 7 years and did not have one single breakout and my body did not have any negative reactions to it! About 1.5 years ago, I stopped taking it because I couldn't afford it! Even though insurance covered a small portion of it. And 1.5 years later I'm having a breakout. I will go back to a daily dose."

• Not...
• January 3, 2015

Valacyclovir "I've been on Valtrex as suppression therapy for two months. After first contracting HSV-2, I was getting outbreak upon outbreak with no break. It has significantly reduced my outbreaks, but I am still getting them and presently not much relief. My doctor thinks it may take more time for the medication to work. But I did notice a review where this person upped their dosage while in outbreak. Will try this and see."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2012

Valacyclovir "I just started taking Valtrex, and it has been working great. Just contracted HSV2 in Dec. 2011, it's now Feb. 2012. Went to the hospital the day after I saw all the lesions and was on famciclovir (Famvir). Didn't really seem to do much for the lesions. I only had one week's worth of Famvir and was off antivirals until 3 weeks ago and had 3 mini outbreaks since then with 1 lesion each. Got on Valtrex, haven't even had itching or tingling since. Thanks, Valtrex."

• Her...
• January 1, 2021

Valacyclovir "Okay. I long suspected I had herpes, I’d notice single outbreaks any time I had a cold. Then, when I turned 30, I had an outbreak not associated with a cold at all. I got on 500 mg Valtrex immediately, and still, I was having 1-2 outbreaks a month. So, based on that, I switched to acyclovir 400 mg 2x a day because 500 mg Valtrex was already more expensive, I didn’t want to pay for the 1 g. I did some digging and finally found that this actually is a documented medical experience, published in a couple of journal articles. For people with high outbreak numbers, 500 mg Valtrex is ineffective, while acyclovir, 1 g Valtrex, and famciclovir are. It would certainly shorten the length of the outbreak to 3-5 days when I took the treatment dose, but did not prevent. With 400 mg acyclovir 2x a day, I still get tingling and itching sometimes, but it’s been two months, and I haven’t had any outbreaks."

• CJ1...
• August 30, 2017

Valacyclovir "I was supposed to take this for suppressive therapy, but I stopped after my outbreak because I couldn't stand the side effects. This pill made me dizzy, and I could hardly function at work. I don't know if this or the HSV-1 is worse."

• Krb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2015

Valacyclovir "I have gotten cold sores as long as I can remember. Miserable ones that would cover my chin, after starting at the corner of my mouth. They would happen 2 to 4 times a year, lasting for 4 to 8 weeks. Finally, 2 years ago, I was prescribed Valtrex, and I have had 2 breakouts in 2 years. I take them every day, 1 a day, unless I am feeling a breakout coming on. Then I will double up on the pills. Truth be told, I have been lazy and didn't go back to the doctor for a new script when mine ran out. So right now, I have been over a week without my Valtrex and having severe breakouts in places I didn't even know you could get them. Apparently, my body goes into shock when I stop taking it. Will never stop again. Valtrex rocks!"