Valacyclovir and Tingling: What Users Say

• Tee...
• July 11, 2019

For Cold Sores "I've been getting cold sores since I was a kid. Never bugged me until adulthood, where it became 2 weeks of feeling really sad and unlike myself. After talking to my doctor, he prescribed me valacyclovir, and I decided to keep a refill with me. This week, I woke up with tingling on Monday. Took my first dose 6 hrs after (4 caps, 500mg). Another dose 12 hrs later. While a small cluster of blisters formed, they were hardly noticeable at all. Today is Wed. evening, and the sore is pretty much flat. Never got red, bigger, or reached the weepy oozing stage. A little over 48 hrs later, and it’s literally gone. Just a small dry patch. I came across this forum the last time I had one and didn’t have access to a prescription. If that’s you, ride it out, but know a game changer is available. See your doctor ASAP & keep capsules handy. Don’t let cold sores rule your life. I never write reviews, but if this can help anyone who struggles and feels hopeless when a sore pops up, I’m happy."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2012

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

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Absolutely brilliant drug, tried everything to calm this horrible disease over the last 6 years. Started taking Valtrex for the last few months and feel amazing again, all the tingling and outbreaks have gone."

• Pla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2015

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I'm a 40-year-old UPS guy. I started getting cold sores 3 years ago. They used to happen only when I was working out in the cold, but now it's in the middle of July. They always last 2 weeks. I've tried Abreva, L-Lysine, Campo-Phenique, ice, limiting arginine-rich foods, and nothing worked. Today, day 3 of Abreva and Campo-Phenique failing, I was full-blown, huge pustules on my lip looking like they were about to explode, so I went to my doctor. I took 1 GM of Valtrex this AM, and within 45 minutes, it started feeling different and my lip started tingling. By 5 PM, it was softer/less pressure. I took another 1 GM at 7 PM. I just looked in the mirror at 10 PM and the pustules are much smaller and never popped. So far, so good!"

• Her...
• January 1, 2021

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

• 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!"

• Dia...
• May 23, 2024

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I sometimes get a cold sore after routine dental hygiene appointments in the corner of my mouth. I noticed the tingling sensation associated with getting a cold sore and started Valtrex within hours before blister appeared. Within 3 hours the tingling and burning sensation had subsided! I took another dose 12 hours later and by morning I had a little hardened skin, but no blister ever formed. Truly a drug that does what it says… I always keep this drug on hand."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2010

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "Great medication! I am a hygienist and have been looking for a treatment for cold sores for my patients. I learned about Valtrex in school, but had not had a chance to try it until I got an outbreak recently. I had my doctor prescribe me 2 g to take 12 hours apart as the herpes labialis prescription suggests, and it worked wonders. I got tingling on Tuesday, took medication on Wednesday (had a small blister forming at the time), and on Thursday it is a small healing scab. Never got big enough for anyone to notice unless I pointed it out (which I did to everyone in my dental office because the healing was so great, they agreed). I am going to recommend it for my patients who suffer from frequent cold sores."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2011

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "I don't write too many reviews, but I wanted to let you know that this medicine really works. I woke up with tingling on my lip and knew exactly what it was, then, 4 hours later, another one appeared. I immediately started putting Zovirax on my cold sores every 2 hours. I woke up the next morning to find another one starting. I knew that I couldn't handle 3 of these hideous things on my face, and I had heard from a drug rep that Valtrex really worked. But she wasn't sure if it worked AFTER they had been present for a day or two. I called my doctor, and she prescribed Valtrex 36 hrs after they started. I can honestly say that it worked. In 3 days, there was nothing but a simple little red mark on my lips."

• juj...
• September 7, 2014

Valtrex (valacyclovir) for Cold Sores "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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2023

For Cold Sores "Yo, let me tell you! I DEFINITELY didn’t believe this was going to work. I had a blister forming Sunday morning, I took a 1-gram pill at 4 PM in the afternoon and another 1-gram pill at 4 AM, went to sleep, just woke up at 1 PM. And the blister is almost gone. The blister didn’t even fully form. I don’t get the same “tingling” feeling that everyone else gets, so I just have to catch it at the beginning stages of a blister, then attack it with the pill ASAP. But it does work! I’m one of those guys that was skeptical, but if you are skeptical about it, trust me, it DOES WORK. Just take the pills at your first symptom. NO MORE HAVING TO HIDE YOUR FACE FOR TWO WEEKS!"

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2016

For Cold Sores "About a year ago, I had gone to my family doctor for another matter while I had this blistery mess on my lower lip. When we finished talking about the matter at hand, she offered me a prescription to treat the next cold sore. July 27, 2016, I woke up with tingling and a blister starting to form. Right away, I took one dose of my prescribed valacyclovir and repeated the dose at bedtime. This morning, July 28, my cold sore is almost gone. It's about 90% healed. I'll be going back to the pharmacy for a refill so I can have it right at hand in the event of another. One satisfied person here!"

• gen...
• November 28, 2015

For Cold Sores "I started getting fever blisters in my late 20s when I was on chemotherapy. They were usually in my nose, and I just suffered through. A few years ago, I had a huge cold sore on my lip that caused my lip to literally swell to my nose. I went to the doctor and started on Valtrex, absolutely amazing, I never get them anymore. It was too late for this horrible episode, but now when I feel an outbreak, I start the tablets 2,000 mg 2x a day. I have recently started feeling a lot of tingling, itching, and numbness across the nerve path after I take the medication. I tell my husband it is like the drug is fighting the virus on the nerve, has anyone else experienced this weird side effect?"

• 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 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2018

For Cold Sores "This stuff is amazing! Seriously, it is magical! I woke up with a tingling on Saturday morning, took one dose (my doctor suggested 1 pill every 12 hours instead of 2), and prayed for a speedy recovery. Unfortunately, I still got a small cluster of blisters, but by Sunday evening, they had receded! It was like they had shrunk back into themselves! I will have these meds with me at all times because this was such a lifesaver! It is now Monday afternoon, and I am almost completely healed. Serious miracle worker! I only wish one of my previous doctors had given me this prescription earlier to save myself years of embarrassment and pain!"

• 10y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2017

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "For the last 10 years, every 4 months, the Devil's Kiss (aka cold sore) starts generally in the same region of my lower lip. I tried everything under the sun and was prescribed acyclovir in the past with mild results. I went to the doctor and got this drug prescribed to me, but by this time, my cold sore was already gone as I was traveling, just leaving a pink scar for months. I waited, and last night I noticed the red bump forming around midnight. Took 2 grams immediately and went to bed with fingers crossed. Woke up, and the sore had not progressed, was tingling but no swelling, no blister cluster, SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. If you are reading this, MUST TRY."

• rts...
• October 27, 2011

For Cold Sores "Had a sunburn and, of course, within a couple of hours started getting the tingle on my lower lip. I started getting mad at the fact that this was going to be a one to two-week nightmare again. A friend heard me talking about it and produced the amazing purple pill. I took two immediately, and within a few hours, the tingling was gone. Took one more before I went to bed, and in the morning, there was no sign of my little nightmare. I've been fighting this little creature for over 25 years and finally feel a little comfort in dealing with my problem."

• Chi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 25, 2021

For Cold Sores "I am 59 years old and have suffered with cold sores as long as I can remember, several a year. My last one was so horrible, climbing from my top lip into my nose and to the side of my cheek. My doctor prescribed this medication to me, but it was the blue oblong pill. I took it 2x a day for 30 days and have had only a few tingles the past 10 years. I now have the white ones on hand, and when I feel the tingle, I take 2x a day for a couple of days, and the tingle does not flare into the sore. I am very happy with it. I only don't like that it is prescription because my doctor only prescribes me 4 at a time."

• Jen...
• March 5, 2015

For Cold Sores "It works! I am 25 and have been getting cold sores since I was in the 2nd grade. After getting 2 ugly cold sores at once, I was fed up and decided to call my doctor, who prescribed me this drug. I only take it when I feel a cold sore coming on (tingling, itchiness). I take one pill, and sometimes, to be sure, about 2-3 hours later, I'll take another one. Since prescribed, I have not once gotten a cold sore! If taken soon enough, this drug suppresses the herpes virus, therefore preventing a cold sore from forming."

• Jea...
• August 23, 2016

For Cold Sores "Fantastic! Same as the other reviewers. Take 2 mg as soon as the tingling starts, and 2 mg twelve hours later. All gone before it really starts. Don't leave home without them! :-)"