Valacyclovir and Swelling: 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!"

• 52y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "Awesome results. I rarely have cold sores. Roughly one every 2-3 years. Never have had ANY relief from various home remedies or OTC solutions. Cold sore forms in the same place on the upper lip just below my mustache, which can be confused in the initial stages with an ingrown hair/pimple. The difference being that hair doesn't form on the lips! Ha. Outbreak swells quickly within 2 days to a nickel-sized dimension with an actual open sore (yellow/white) 1/3 the size. I took 2 doses of 2 mg 12 hours apart after swelling had started. A small yellow outline was already forming under the skin of the lip, and I thought I was going to have another 2-week episode. Woke up this morning, and the swelling was down and yellow gone! Really amazing!"

• muc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I am pregnant and found out I had genital herpes on New Year's Eve from my boyfriend giving me oral sex with a cold sore on his lip. It burned so bad when I went pee. I had painful blisters and bumps and awful itching with a nasty discharge and swelling. OB-GYN gave me Valtrex 1 gm to take twice a day. On day one, the painful swelling I had in my labia went down a lot. By day two, the burning was gone and the big blisters went down until they were super small. The itching also got a lot better. Day three, blisters and bumps scabbed over. It's now day four and all I had left is dried-up tiny scabs over where two of the blisters were and they don't hurt at all. Bumps are gone. Basically, my vagina looks and feels almost normal again."

• Cin...
• November 17, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "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."

• ste...
• January 5, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I've been getting cold sores for a while now, and before Valtrex, none of the creams would help, and I wouldn't notice a difference. Now when I feel a little bump, I take Valtrex right away, 4 pills ASAP, then another 4 a few hours later. If I catch it early enough, it won't go past the little bump and will be cleared up by the next day. If I catch it a little too late (sometimes they like to show up while I'm sleeping), I still take Valtrex and I will get the outbreak, but no swelling, blister. Still clears in 3 days. I also use Polysporin patches. This stuff is the closest thing to a cure right now. My doctor says to take 1 pill a day around the times of the year I usually get them, and sometimes I can go a year or a year and a half without one."

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 17, 2016

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I've had cold sores since I was 8. I would get them every 2 months, and they would last about 2 weeks before they were completely gone. My dentist prescribed me Valtrex. If I take it at the first hour of feeling a cold sore coming on, it works great. I don't get the little blisters that form on the lip, it just feels a little swollen. It goes away after 3 days. Unfortunately, it doesn't work once the blisters have formed. So if you get a cold sore in the morning and only get home at 8 PM to take the Valtrex, it won't work the same way. So I always have it in my purse just in case. Lifesaver."

• Fan...
• November 8, 2013

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I was in school around 8:00 and started to feel a tingling sensation. By 10:00, I knew it was a cold sore. I had basketball practice after school until 7:30, so I couldn't use it as soon as I felt it. When I got home, I took one pill, went to bed, and took another in the morning. It's the next day, and the swelling has gone down tremendously, and it's already getting flat. By tomorrow, it will probably be gone."

• 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!!"

• Ano...
• August 6, 2018

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I started to get cold sores about 1x/year starting 10 years ago. Tried everything (Zovirax etc.), nothing worked. I already had Valacyclovir on hand and ready, though it had never worked because I hadn’t taken the right dosage. I would only take 500 mg 2x a day - no help! A friend told me I had to take more than 500 mg. I felt it tingling 3 nights ago, took 1 g. The next morning, it was still tingling, took another 1 g. It still tingled, and bumps were forming. Then I found this thread, saw everyone took 2 g, so I took 2 g that night (2 nights ago now). The next morning, tiny bumps were still there, and it was swollen and tingling crazy. I took a 2nd batch of 2 g yesterday morning. Over the day, the swelling went down, and the bumps flattened. Tingling lessened a bit. It never turned bright red. Today it’s gone, though I swear I can feel a slight tingle, may take a lighter dose to prevent it from returning. I never thought it would work. Take 2 g twice. I have the generic brand, not the actual “Valtrex.” Crisis diverted!"

• 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!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2012

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "When I say I have NEVER, EVER taken/applied any medication to my cold sores before that is as effective as Valtrex, I MEAN IT. I have been dealing with this virus forever, and I have tried everything. My doctor gave me a prescription to have on hand, and 3 weeks ago, I was afraid to ask for it at the pharmacy. 2 days ago, though, when I woke up with that infamous tingle, I ran and filled it up. I messed up the dosage, but once I caught up, it REALLY began to disappear. By mid 2nd day, it was practically flat, and I typically swell badly. It's day 3, and I'm back to normal. Thank God for Valtrex! Try it."

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

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

• 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."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "Went to the beach, stayed in the sun way too long, and the next 2 days I got these fever blisters/cold sores. I was so upset until I found this medication! It really works; it gets rid of all the swelling, redness, pus/scab. Basically, if you feel the tingling, take it ASAP! It WILL help and relieve your mind, thinking 'all I have is this Abreva!' Well, use both, and it'll be gone no later than 4-5 days, and that's a lot better than 1-2 weeks left untreated."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2014

For Cold Sores "Sunday woke up with a tingle on my lip. Took two pills, 1 gram each, and throughout the day I put on Abreva. My lip got swollen a bit, but never did it come to a head and burst or leak. By day two in the morning, the bump was significantly smaller, and by late afternoon it practically was gone. Day three can't see much of the cold sore except for a sore only, and it's not really noticeable. Very happy with the results!"

• iha...
• October 18, 2017

For Cold Sores "I've been using this for cold sore outbreaks for about 5 years now. When I feel a cold sore appearing (hopefully before it actually surfaces), I take the standard 2 g immediately and 2 g 12 hours later. So far, it has worked like magic every time. If I catch it early enough, I see the effect shortly after the second dose. I'll have some swelling and redness, but within a day it kind of shrinks back into my skin and gradually disappears. However, if blisters already appeared and the damage to the skin has been done, I'll have a scab. Either way, the cold sore heals much faster, and I've had no side effects."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2015

For Cold Sores "After battling a cold on top of a stressful week, I woke up Saturday morning with a tingling spot on my lip. Checked the mirror and saw a little white bump. I ran to the med cabinet and took the first dose of valacyclovir. I kept an eye on it throughout the day. It got a little red, but no swelling and no blisters formed. I took the second dose before I went to sleep and woke up the next day, and it was a little red spot, that was it. It's now Tuesday, and it's almost completely healed. I don't know why I waited so long to use this stuff (been getting cold sores since high school, I'm 27 now). I don't even bother with Abreva anymore."

• dem...
• November 12, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "Valtrex is fantastic if used correctly for cold sores. For adults, the dose is 2 grams at the first symptom of a cold sore, followed by 2 grams 12 hours later. That's it. Now the key is getting that first dose right when you feel the first symptom (tingling, burning, swelling, etc.). This medicine has worked great for me and usually prevents the sore from breaking the skin, thus no one even knowing I was getting a cold sore. Anyone who gets cold sores knows how awful they are and how long they take to heal. I have not had as much success with acyclovir. Be sure you always have some Valtrex on hand. If you wait until you get a cold sore before calling the doctor, it's probably too late, but take it anyway to reduce healing time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2022

For Cold Sores "I've been getting about 1 cold sore per year for the past 10 years, always lasting nearly two weeks. Last year, my doc prescribed me Valtrex when one popped up - on Thursday I took 2, 1g doses in the AM and 2 at night, by Friday it was a small scab, and by Saturday, gone. One year later, I was in the sun all day, and around 5 PM noticed my lip itching. Around 7 PM, I immediately took 2. Before I went to bed, it had gotten bigger, and by morning, I had a fat lip with two small blisters. Took another 2 Tuesday morning. Through Wednesday, it wasn't noticeable but still felt swollen. Waking up Thursday morning, it's almost completely gone. This is the ONLY thing to ever work for me. Typically, I notice the tingle only hours before blisters develop, so both times I've taken it by the time it's present, and it has worked. Everyone's body is different, and it doesn't magically zap it away in an instant but basically cuts down the lifetime from 14 to 3 days."

• Meg...
• August 11, 2015

For Cold Sores "This is the third time that I have gotten a cold sore. The first two times I tried to make it go away on its own. I tried everything from tea tree oil to Abreva. Since my cold sore started with a tingle on Saturday night, I couldn't get to my doctor until Monday morning. By that time, I had two cold sores on my lower lip, millimeters apart, and my lip was swollen to the size of a grape. He gave me 1 gram of valacyclovir twice a day. By that night, I noticed that the first cold sore had a scab and that it shrunk in size. The next morning, all of the swelling was gone and the cold sores were... The second blister didn't pop yet, but it looked like it was getting smaller. Although they say to take this medicine when you first feel the cold sore coming."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2015

For Cold Sores "I get cold sores about 1-3 times a year. When I get them, they are usually REALLY bad. I will not go out in public because my lip is the size of a grape for a week. I started feeling a tingle on my lip around 1 PM yesterday afternoon, and I immediately started to panic. I had a final presentation for a college class the next day at 3 PM, and I did not want to have to do it with my lip the size of a grape. I did not take my first dose (2 pills) of valacyclovir until 6 PM. By this time, blisters were already forming and my lip was swollen. I took my second dosage at 6 AM the next morning. It is currently 10 AM, and my lip already looks so much better. Swelling is down, a small scab has already formed. It is hardly noticeable. This stuff works wonders!"

• aly...
• June 4, 2021

For Cold Sores "I got sunburned on a Saturday and felt a tingle, but nothing came. Then, Tuesday morning, I saw a small bump. I immediately bought Abreva, which honestly doesn’t help. So at 2 PM Tuesday, I had a bump already forming on two spots of my lip. I took 2 of the valacyclovir pills, 2000 mg, and the blisters progressed, and it was slightly swollen. I went to bed and took another 2 pills at 2 AM. When I woke at 8, one had completely gone down, but the other progressed to a bigger blister, but no pain. Usually, I get them so bad I have to ice it for pain due to swelling. I waited until 9 PM the next day and decided to take 1 pill again since it wasn’t gone completely on Wednesday night. Thursday morning, it was practically unnoticeable and had a slight yellow scab. I also took one pill this morning, Thursday. I can definitely say I never had a cold sore blister dry up this fast, usually, it’s a 6-10 day process. I’ve had cold sores since I was a kid, and I hate it, but I never found something that helped like valacyclovir."

• Sno...
• March 19, 2016

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "It's my 3rd day now on this, and yet no sign of relief. I'm starting to get worried, the swelling and burning when I pee is still there, and it's almost unbearable, but hopefully it gets better."