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

Brand names: Valtrex

Valacyclovir has an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from a total of 137 reviews for the treatment of Herpes Simplex, Suppression. 72% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 19% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Valacyclovir

  • Andi
  • July 29, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "When I first contracted genital H (24yrs ago), I was devastated. Suffered continuous outbreaks for several months until seeking medical advice. Acyclovir gave me back my life, severely reduced the occurrences and severity to a manageable level. Valtrex came along and I now take it instead of Acyclovir (no noticeable difference other than having to take fewer tablets). I have tried suppressive and intermittent and both have worked for me. I tend to take the medicine when I have an occurrence as I don't want the virus to become resistant to it. These drugs are a life saver. For what its worth.... I have found that chocolate will trigger an outbreak for me. I've virtually given it up and reckon its a small price to pay for no symptoms. !"

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

Valtrex (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 prevention of transmission. You can even apply it before sex if you're really concerned on transmission. 4. Take your pill everyday. Get a pill case. 5. Try to avoid stress. 6. You'll forget you have it on this med. 7. I have been married many years and my partner still hasn't got it."

10 / 10
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  • Kim
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 16, 2018

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I was diagnosed with HSV 2 in 2001 after having sex for the first time. I was in so much pain and suffered from urinary retention and had to wear a catheter for about 2 months. I was so embarrassed and depressed. My partner accused me of giving him the virus; however, I was a virgin. I take Valtrex prn and luckily I only have one to two outbreaks a year that last about 3 days and include one to two small blisters. No more urinary retention. I just wish I would have questioned my partner sooner related to a history of STDs."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Samuel
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 19, 2019

"I took Valtrex in 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 advise from alternative medicine Doctor ,he recommended to drop red and white meat, actually no animal protein ,mostly vegetable and grains , I did it, and it's 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 virus needs to replicate so avoiding it helps stop virus - you can also take lysine which helps too."

9 / 10
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  • Joana...
  • April 12, 2017

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

10 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Cinci...
  • November 17, 2016

Valtrex (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."

1 / 10
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  • Livin...
  • 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 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 first time. Now only takes 500mg 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."

10 / 10
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  • The...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 12, 2016

Valtrex (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 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 think 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 !"

9 / 10
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  • LadyT...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 20, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I can remember getting my first outbreak around 14yrs old, I had suffered from chickenpox in my younger days. I didnt know what to do about these sores. I was so embarrassed going to school, would even cry. My parents never took me to the Dr. For this. This continued throughtout 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 hrs later a gigantic blister. It was soooo ugly. Tried to supress it witb alcohol or seabreeze, thats 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 seeked medical attention. When I say the generic Valtrex is great...! It is!"

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

Valtrex (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 1 gram dose of Valtrex daily and I have not had an outbreak since. This drug is a total life saver. Couldn't be happier with the results."

10 / 10
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  • MaryM...
  • March 20, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Had my first outbreak about two weeks ago, it was excruciatingly painful. Couldn't urinate without being In the bath tub 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 500mg 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"

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 15, 2020

"I was diagnosed with hsv 1 &2 1 year ago. I Had my first outbreak when I hit a vaccine shot. I was experiencing outbreaks twice a month so I decided to get on medication daily. I started taking 1g Valaciclovir. Yet, on medication I was still experiencing outbreaks usually during the time I was ending my menstrual cycle. I do have an auto immune condition might this be the reason why I’m having constant outbreaks? Does this occurs to anyone else ?"

5 / 10
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  • jared
  • December 3, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I have HSV 2 since about 22 and at about age 26 Valtrex became available. I have taking 1 gram daily (somewhat consistent) until about about 2.5years 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 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. "

8 / 10
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  • Deet
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 3, 2016

Valtrex (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 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."

9 / 10
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  • Not...
  • January 3, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I've been on Valtrex as suppression therapy for two months. After first contracting HSV2 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."

5 / 10
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  • Valtrex...
  • 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."

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  • LL...
  • August 14, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I've had HSV1 since birth. My whole life suffering from terrible outbreaks. My entire mouth, tounge and cheeks covered it giant cold sores. I would get about 3 single outbreaks a year and every 2 years or so have an out break of at least 5 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 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 Drs advice and literally within a couple days it was gone. It works!!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 14, 2009

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I am 60 years old, female, have had many very painful breakouts over the last 15 yrs. I have 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."

10 / 10
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  • Whyme
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 27, 2021

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I was diagnosed with HSV 2 in February with an outbreak, one single blister (I guess I got lucky with that). I took Valtrex for 10 days and the blister went away. I started 500 mg suppression therapy immediately following my last regular dose. A month and half later (fast forward to end of March) I got another breakout. I am also using Lysine. My question is, has anyone who has been using this drug lost their sense of taste, either partially or fully. I've noticed my sense of taste has been altered. I recently got tested for COVID and it was negative. I’m trying to figure out if my partial loss of taste is from using the Valtrex. Would love to hear from you if this has happened to you."

8 / 10
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  • Earth...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • October 4, 2015

Valtrex (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 wiill go back to daily dose."

10 / 10
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  • CJ1234
  • August 30, 2017

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I was supposed to take this for supressive 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."

3 / 10
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  • Kscrim
  • October 1, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "I get cold sores very bad 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 God send 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."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 7, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) "Hi I just start taking Valtrex and has been working great. Just contracted HSV2 in Dec. 2011 its now Feb. 2012.. Went to hospital day after I saw all the lesions and was on famciclovir (Famvir).. Didnt really seem to do my 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 lesions each. Got on Valtrex haven't even had itching or tingling since. Thanks Valtrex."

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

"I have been taking Valacyclovir everyday for 7 years and haven't had a 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."

10 / 10
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  • HerpD...
  • January 1, 2021

Valtrex (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 500mg Valtrex immediately and still I was having 1-2 outbreaks a month. So based on that I switched to acyclovir 400mg 2x a day because 500mg valtrex was already more expensive, I didn’t want to pay for the 1G. I did some digging and finally found that this actually is a documented medical experience, published in a couple journal articles. For people with high outbreak numbers 500mg valtrex is ineffective, while acyclovir, 1G valtrex, and famicyclovir 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 400mg acyclovir 2x a day, I still get tingling and itching sometimes but it’s been two months and I haven’t had any outbreaks."

3 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.