Valtrex and Tingling: What Users Say

• Her...
• January 1, 2021

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."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2012

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."

• Ano...
• August 6, 2018

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!"

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

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!"

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

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."

• Dia...
• May 23, 2024

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

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

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

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."

• dem...
• November 12, 2011

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."