VALTREX Reviews (VALACYCLOVIR HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 3.2 (635 Ratings)

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 ANTIVIRALS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

VALTREX  (VALACYCLOVIR HYDROCHLORIDE):  Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. In children, it is used to treat cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex) and chickenpox (caused by varicella zoster). In adults, it is used to treat shingles (caused by herpes zoster) and cold sores around the mouth. Valacyclovir is also used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes. In people with frequent outbreaks, this medication is used to reduce the number of future episodes. Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug. It stops the growth of certain viruses. However, it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Valacyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal.   FDA Approval Date: 1995-06-23 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR VALTREXCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 3  Shingles After taking Valtrex for my Shingles, I noticed that it was making my arm go numb where it was previously itchy & painful. I'd rather have numbness over pain, but I hope these side-effects are not long lasting. Quite large pills! I affectionately call them horse pills. F 34 7 days
10/22/2009
 4  Genital Herpes none, that I know of, but after reading everyone's posts... I don't know I feel like my body might be dependent upon the drug. I take 500 mg a day; if I skip even one dose, I get a minor outbreak. It's not as bad as a major outbreak, but I'm concerned it isn't as dependable as I would like. Anyone have any natural solutions that I could maybe couple WITH the valtrex? I don't want to risk spreading the virus to anyone... ever (if possible). F 24 9 months
10/20/2009
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 2  Genital Herpes Induced outbreak Anybody experience Valtrex induce an outbreak? I've had genital herpes for 1 1/2 yrs. I took Valtrex immediately after first outbreak, very minor, one noticeable bump. Took a month dosage, stopped completely. 9 months later, I took Valtrex for a 2-4 days. A day or two after taking Valtrex for first time after going off it I noticed a bump appear. I got the feeling that taking the Valtrex had somehow stimulated the virus. Now, I took a Valtrex pill yesterday (after 6 months without it) and today I feel my nerves jangling. It really feels like the few times that I've taken the drug it somehow stimulates the virus to react. Not sure if this is a reaction that others have had. If so please post. M 37 2 days
10/18/2009
 3  Herpes Itchy feeling, creepy crawling on skin, joint pain in knees & legs, burning sensation & prickley feeling on butt and back of thighs...uncomfortable to sit Just started taking valtrex and noticed the symptoms. Not sure it I'd be better with it or without! F 39 10 days
10/15/2009
 4  shingles none M
9/18/2009
 5  Herpes 1 None that I could identify - not having 20 cold sores a year makes any side effects thoroughly unnoticed. I hope there is no permanent effect, because I really like being on this medication. F 31 5 years
9/14/2009
 4  Genital Herpes My first menstrual cycle on Valtrex was the worst I've ever experienced, they have normalized now, but are still heavier than before. I've gained 12 pounds in the 5 months I've been taking the drug. I also experienced dizziness, but none of the other side effects I've read about. I have not had an OB while taking Valtrex, I had three prior OBs. I'm on 500mg/day, but would like to cut that in half and see if I'll still be OB free. I can't find any substantial information on weight gain as a side effect but in my case there's absolutely a correlation. Please comment if you have had a similar side effect. I also believe that the manufacturer has the technology to cure this disease but won't take those steps because it will compromise the HUGE revenue stream they're currently enjoying. It will be interesting to see what happens when the patent expires. F 49 5 months
9/7/2009
 1  Shingles I was taking Valtrex 3 times per day (1 GM Tabs). On the fourth day I awoke feeling very disoriented and fatiqued. The fifth day was worse. I made the decision to stop taking the medication and even though several days have passed I still feel out of it. My shingles were not very painful and I feel my own body would have handled them without this medication. I am so sorry I took it and worry that this disorientation will not end. If you have a mild case of shingles, let your body take care of itself without taking this medication. Valtrex should not be taken lightly. Do your research. F 57 5 days
9/4/2009
 4  Shingles 1st day I took 1 pill 3 times a day, then that night had rapid heartbeat and could not sleep for hours. I feel like I cannot think and things are foggy. Feeling tired and have dry mouth. I am only going to take one a day now and see what happens. My shingles are going away though. I hate this drug makes you feel like this. This is probably the 4 time I have had shingles over 8 years. F 45 2 days
9/2/2009
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 4  Genital Herpes metallic taste, tachycardia(?) Not 100% positive that Valtrex is causing- most likely is. However, 500mg/day has totally stopped outbreaks that occured on a monthly basis. Will be asking my Dr. at my next exam if I can cut pills in 1/2 or taper off meds. F 29 5 months
9/1/2009
 2  herpes YEAST INFECTION. When I took the first pill, I started itching the next day. My doctor said it was not from it. I stop taking Valtrex and started taking Acyclovir as a preventive therapy. Then I wanted to take Valtrex again to see if it was all in my mind. NO it wasn't after taking the first pill the yeast infection was their the next day. I can't handle the yeast infection. It probably will work but after one pill I get an yeast infection. I will continue to take my Acyclovir 200mg twice a day, taking four pills a day can be bothersome, but no outbreak since 3/09, maybe some tingling, but it goes away instantly.The pamplet does not say yeast infection but I do agree with another lady that wrote on this website, yes I got one also. F 41 1 days
8/30/2009
 2  herpes 2 tired, achness, anxiety, fatigue, feeling out of it. inability to focus. unable to stop taking it without experiencing and outbreak. the drug made my body dependent on it. Contracted herpes 1 in 1996. maybe three outbreaks from then until 2008. Then in Oct 2008, i took it daily as my doctor recommended it to prevent transmission. However, I had unprotected sex on and off with three different partners for 10 years and did not give them anything.Starting taking it daily oct 08, and now I cant get off it without getting an outbreak and right before my period, i feel iching in my anus and the start of an ob, some small sores. the drug company is a minpulative greed and cruel org. go natural l-lysine, vitamin b, c, e and hair skins nails vitamins do fine. dont start it. let your body fight it off. F 35 1 years
8/22/2009
 5  HHV-6, EBV & HSV-1 In the first few weeks, headaches, mild dizziness. Valtrex, I believe, has really helped keep my markers down for the variety of viruses I've got. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to these viruses. I started on 500mg per day and am gradually working my way up to 1g. I graduate slowly due to viral shed off and the flu like symptoms. Note: these are not side effects of the drug, but effects of the virus cells dying off in my system. I'm very happy with this medication! F 39 11 months
8/18/2009
 5  genital herpes none. it's been great. i've taken it daily to protect my partner. (i've had 2 outbreaks previously, once when i contracted herpes a year ago, another 3 months later. i took valtrex episodically.) for about 8 months now i've had it daily. it's been great. no side effects and no outbreaks. and i stopped taking it for about a month this summer when i was home from college and not having sex. contrary to what i heard, i didn't get an outbreak when i stopped using it. F 21 8 months
8/17/2009
 2  Herpes 2 Extreme leg stiffness and joint pain. I mentioned the onset of joint pain, which i've never had, to my doctor and she brushed it off telling me this is not a side affect of Valtrex. Took the medication a 2nd time and the same side effect. So for me, I stopped taking this medication as I only suffer perhaps 2 outbreaks annually. F 37 2 months
8/9/2009
 2  genital herpes My head felt weird (almost like blood pressure was up) after taking the first dose. Also felt tingling down my right leg (along the inner thigh area). I skipped the 2nd dose, and woke up the following morning with this weird area that popped up on my right thigh - looked like a blister/rash/allergic reaction. The doctor thinks it's weird that I had this reaction, but from what I have researched, this really isn't all that uncommon. I did additional research and have found that red marine algae and Lysine are good healthy alternatives that help keep outbreaks at bay. so far so good! No way I will ever take this stuff again!! F 32 1 days
8/3/2009
 3  shingles fuzzy thinking, major abdominal bloating, tarry stools, constipation, weird taste in mouth. Prescribed 7 days 3xday, 1 gram. On fifth night impossible to sleep (now 4:30am) because of severe pain in my side hopefully from gas. First dose about 24 hours after first shingles sore appeared, medicine didn't seem to kick in until day 4 of Valtrex when the sores finally stopped spreading. Or was this because I had received vaccine a year earlier? I don't know if Valtrex did any good and am going to either stop it or half the dosage for the last two days. The side effects are frankly worse than the shingles blisters' pain which I have dealt with fairly well with only OTC pain meds, cool damp cloths and the distraction of duties I could not ignore. Maybe I am just worn out at this point. F 61 5 days
8/1/2009
 3  Shingles Dizziness, upset stomach, diahrria, extreme exhaustion, mood swings Began after 1 week of having active case of shingles F 43 5 days
8/1/2009
 5  Genital herpes (type 2) possibly dizziness, headaches, GI upset, and fatigue I've had genital herpes for over 25 years, since I was 21. I've taken Valtrex for so long I can't remember when I started, but I began on Zovirax, the first version of the drug. It's been at least 15 years, so I must be one of the people who have taken it the longest. I take 500 mg daily with no major side effects, or at least side effects that I can definitely attribute to Valtex. I love that it keeps me breakout-free and can also reduce the chances of transmitting it to others. I rarely get a breakout, except if I miss or skip a dose and am sick or stressed. Sometimes sexual activity can irritate the area and trigger a breakout. Even if I get a breakout, it's now so minor I don't always know if it's a herpes sore, and it doesn't really hurt, I just have the sensation that there's a little spot of irritated skin. But I would much rather take the drug than have to deal with even minor breakouts, so I continue with daily suppressive therapy. If I get a sore, I double the dose for several days. I get bloodwork done every year to make sure my liver function is fine, and so far it has been. My only concern is that your body may become dependent on Valtrex and if you go off the suppressive regimen, it may take your body a while to build up its own antiviral defenses, so you might have to endure a series of breakouts before they subside. Then again, that might not be the case. I will continue taking Valtrex indefinitely. I'm hoping the generic version will be just as effective. F 48 15 years
7/15/2009
 3  shingles bad gas pain, couldn't get to sleep for hours last night. I usually never have gas pain, so I looked at side effects of valtrex since that's the only thing that's changed from my regular routine. If I have to go through another night like that, I'll fight through it. The symptoms of shingles aren't as bad as that. Since Valtrex doesn't really "cure" you, I might stop taking them. M 33 3 days
7/9/2009

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