Valacyclovir and Pain: What Users Say

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

Valtrex (valacyclovir) 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!"

• Big...
• February 16, 2018

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I had never had an outbreak until I reached 71. I wish I had some exciting news about how I got Herpes Simplex. But alas, no. I made up for lost time and had 7 outbreaks in 5 months. Oooh the pain and ugliness. On 8-16-17 I received a shot of Valtrex. It was a miracle. I want to pass on the best treatment is to slather vaseline over all affected areas. It keeps it from spreading and helps the discomfort. Thanks"

• Bet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 3, 2018

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Zoster "Be aware I am anti-big pharma on numerous levels. I fought using any kind of pharmaceutical for decades. I have chronic shingles that keeps occurring on my left back hip. A pinched nerve triggers when sitting for very long. I hate to say it, but Valtrex saved me. Taking one 500 mg about once every 3 days, and have not been plagued with any shingles since taking it 6 months ago. It also seemed to relieve about 50% of the pain associated with the outbreak area. Not sure what the connection is. I also have genital herpes that pops up every couple of months (before taking Valtrex). Nothing has appeared in over 6 months. This drug has been a godsend (okay, I'll give the manufacturer a high five for this one, as much as I hate to say it)."

• Ple...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I got diagnosed with genital herpes in February 2016. I did 500 mg for 7 days when I was expecting an outbreak. But I kept getting them. They switched me to 1 g daily about 6 months ago, and I'm still non-stop getting them. I've had 3 that have been so bad, and they've left scars. I'm in extreme pain and don't know what to do. Why isn't my medication working?"

• Try...
• December 18, 2019

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I think I’ve had it for a while because, for months, I was experiencing terrible clitoral pain, and my gyno tested my blood and the clitoris. Nothing came back, but I would always feel an itchy and burning feeling at night. The beginning of last week, I experienced my first outbreak. I took this whole bottle, qty 14, and I’ve been getting more sores. I have no itchiness, mostly painful, and I’ve been so depressed. I haven’t gone to work and just have been staying in bed. I’ve been on antidepressants for a year now, and I’m scared for my future. I have two people that are close to me who have it, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to about it, but I just want this breakout to end."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Zoster "Discovered rash on a Thursday, prescribed Valtrex on a Friday. Woke up Saturday and rash was still spreading but stopped by that night and began to dry up by Tuesday - no blisters ever formed and itching/pain was very minimal! Side effects only the first day or so, but not positive it was from Valtrex - the sickness/headaches I felt could've easily been from my anxiety. By the third day, any side effects subsided completely and had no issues finishing the medication. After reading stories of shingles sufferers who did not take antivirals, I am so happy my doctor prescribed this medication. Also, a suggestion, Burow's solution (sold as Domeboro in most pharmacies) helped soothe and dry up my rash quickly! Keep your head up!"

• Ant...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2021

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "To those of you struggling with antivirals, you are not crazy! Antivirals can actually make things worse for some people, myself included. I've had HSV2 for 4 years now and just recently decided to start taking Acyclovir daily to lower the chances of transmission to my new partner. This has been the worst two weeks of my life. I've experienced constant nausea and headaches. I also have been having prodrome symptoms that will not go away. Prior to this, I never even thought about my herpes. My last partner, who is negative, had unprotected sex for 2 years without me being on antivirals. We just avoided sex whenever I started experiencing prodrome symptoms, which was only maybe 2-3 times per year. My body really doesn't like pharmaceutical drugs, and I always have the worst side effects no matter what it is. I'm going to continue to take the natural approach because I can't imagine taking those horrible pills that cause the worst nerve pain ever for the rest of my life."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2014

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I've had HSV-1 ever since I was 2. I had an outbreak then and again when I was 9 or 10. I'd forgotten that I even had the virus until a week ago. I got a new lip piercing, and 3 days into the healing, my lip blistered. It had been 25 years since my last cold sore, but I remembered what those blisters meant. I wasn't able to get to the doctor until two days later. By then, the blisters had broken open and were all crusted over. I took 2 of the Valtrex as soon as I got them and another 2, 12 hours later. Within a few hours, the pain started going away. The terrible burning was gone. It's been 2 days since my last dose, and my cold sore is in its final healing stage, with the little scabs. My lip is flat again, and the only pain is from the piercing."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2013

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Varicella-Zoster "I am 54 years old, and I suddenly came down with shingles on my right side of my shoulder and back. When I took the Valtrex, after 30 minutes, I felt sudden relief. It didn't take away the pain, but in combination with the Percocet, I was able to live, not survive. Shingles are very painful, and I don't know what I would have done without Valtrex. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from a viral."

• Arr...
• March 20, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Zoster "I started taking Valtrex 2 days after the rash appeared, it slowed down the spread of the rash and reduced the pain. 3 days later, I was feeling better, but the rash took about 10 days to disappear, and I continued feeling mild pain for another week or so."

• BTe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 2, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been taking Valtrex for symptoms of MS for at least 5 years. When I first started taking it, within 3 days I could go up steps with no problems. I feel I have greatly improved in strength and ability over those last 5 years. After so many years, I started to wonder if it was really doing anything, so I stopped taking it when my prescription ran out. Two weeks later, I was having some pain in my legs, even while relaxing, and could barely get up out of a chair. So, I took one of my few remaining Valtrex (1 500 mg per day). It worked! Within a 24-hour period, I had no trouble getting out of a chair again. Not only that, but my MS symptoms have remained stable for the past 5 years while taking Valtrex. It works for me."

• Ibe...
• April 7, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) 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!!"

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Varicella-Zoster "I started this medication the day after I noticed the rash. It was a small patch on my lower back (maybe 1 1/2 inches). I have luckily had little pain, but a couple of days the rash was itchy, sore, and uncomfortable. After four and 1/2 days on the meds, all of my 10-15 blisters are gone. It doesn’t seem like they even opened... I don’t see any crust. They are thankfully just shrinking and drying up. So, so thankful for this med!! (Took med with lots of water and food)."

• Van...
• January 2, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) 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!!"

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Female, 49. Had my first big outbreak of herpes at the end of September. I didn't know what was going on. No blisters, but sores. It was so painful and itchy. I scratched myself raw around the genital area and anus area. Didn't fill my prescription for valacyclovir like I should have and dealt with this pain for a week. Medication began giving me relief after my third day. My prescription is for 6 refills and it's the beginning of Dec and I'm on refill #3. I take it when I feel the tingling. If the tingling returns soon, I'll ask the doctor about daily meds. I've been reading on this forum how it's helping mostly everyone."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "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 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2024

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "I have breakouts on my nose, and if I start to feel one itch, I start taking the pill, and let me tell you, it helps. I still will get a sore, but it will not be as big nor as painful with this medication. So if you start to feel any itching or anything, pop that pill, and it will help."

• hal...
• April 9, 2015

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Well, yesterday I found out I had genital herpes from oral sex. My boyfriend had a cold sore that I honestly thought didn't matter and I thought it was healed. I noticed symptoms such as itching and burning, but I shook it off and thought it was a yeast infection. Then the next day, swelling happened and I was so sore I couldn't sleep. My gyno prescribed me Valacyclovir, and so far it has been working a little bit, it still burns to go to the bathroom, but it's only the first day. It's providing relief, though. None of you should feel alone because you definitely aren't. Just remember to stay positive and keep your head up. It sucks, but you can do it! Also, remember that one little mistake can hurt you real bad."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2012

For Cold Sores "Woke up at 10 PM and had a slight pain in my lower lip to the point that I didn't think I was getting a herpes lip. By 1 PM, I could feel the tiniest bump ever but still didn't think I was getting a herpes lip. By 2:30 PM, I ran home and took 1000 mg of Valacyclovir (which was only half the dose, but I did this by mistake). By 7:30 PM, I got home and definitely had a red and swollen lip, and another outbreak right next to it, both had little white pimples. Took the regular dose of 2000 mg at 7:30 PM. Didn't wait 12 hours and took another 2000 mg at 4 AM. Woke up at 11:30 AM the 2nd day, and there was no pain or swelling, but little white dots were still there. Took another 2000 mg at 2 PM, and the lip is 100% fine, no white dots, lip is 100% fine."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2021

For Herpes Simplex (HSV) "O. My... Before this medication, when I would get an outbreak from genital herpes, it was the worst; very painful, and it made me feel helpless. BUT my doctor prescribed me this medicine, and it truly is the best. I felt an outbreak coming on, tingling and itching and pain. I took this, and by the second day, I felt it was getting better; by the third day, I felt like the outbreak never began. This medicine will be something I take forever if I have to. I wish I found this sooner. Such a lifesaver."

• ska...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Had to stop taking this medicine after 2 pills. Severe side effects included abdominal bloating, gas, nausea, and pain. Also had increased tinnitus and headache. Almost went to 'Urgent Care,' but symptoms decreased very slowly after 2 days."

• Lei...
• February 16, 2017

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I've suffered from cold sores since I was a baby. I remember having three at once in middle school and a huge one my senior year. In my 20s, I started to get them five or more times per year. The pain was unbearable sometimes as they flared up and wept. I finally asked my doctor if there was something I could do. She gave me a 90-day script for Valtrex, and it's been amazing. If I catch it in the tingle stage, it barely forms. One time, I missed the tingle, and a blister started to form. It was puffy the next day, and then it was flat and not puffy the next day! Never broke and wept, but just gradually went away. I recommend this a million times over."

• Rut...
• April 9, 2019

For Cold Sores "I was infected by herpes as a child and have had a pretty devastating long-term affliction with them. The last few years, the cold sore outbreaks have been slowing down, and I only get about four outbreaks a year, and I've been taking Famciclovir the moment I feel the tingle. Once or twice in this time (so out of maybe 25 outbreaks), the Famvir has stopped the cold sore from appearing. More often though, it just helps with the pain and may shorten the 14 days to 12. Recently my GP prescribed me Valacyclovir as a treatment (two tablets for five days). Had an outbreak last week at 10 AM, took the first tablet as soon as I could at midday, no real effect. Second tablet in the evening, and third tablet the morning of the following day. By this stage, the cold sore had been arrested, was not sore. By the third day (after only four doses), it had gone, and I was only left with a slight redness and some flaky skin. So Valacyclovir is my miracle drug for cold sores."

• Rae...
• July 4, 2021

Valtrex (valacyclovir) 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!"

• Chi...
• February 4, 2020

For Cold Sores "I’ve been getting cold sores since I was a child, and I’m 22 now. I’ve tried everything. After using Abreva and having a horrible reaction to it (I got about 7 cold sores on my lips at once), I went to the doctor, and he prescribed it to me right away. 2000 mg when I feel it or notice it, and another 2000 mg 12 hours later. I like to pair it with the cream version of this as well. The pharmacist says that the cream is less effective, but I find pairing them together helps get rid of them faster, and it’s convenient to have in my purse if I ever run out of the pill form while I’m away. The only problem with the cream is my lips dry up, but it is better than having a large cold sore! If I’m experiencing a full-blown cold sore because I caught it too late, I will take 1 g every 6 hours 4 times to prevent it from spreading. I usually get 2-3 at a time, unfortunately. If I’m experiencing any pain, I apply a polysporin ointment to my lips, which numbs the area, and then apply the cream!"