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  Herpes Simplex 1 (lip) Bad headaches, fatigue, mild nausea, foggy head, sort of feverish I take 2000mg when I feel an outbreak coming on and 2000mg 12 hours later. (Dr.'s orders) Outbreaks are so quick the drug doesn't seem to be able to counteract them. Now I usually take the drug when I believe I may be at risk for an outbreak. (sick, fatigued or stressed) 2000 mg Lysine and 2000mg Vitamin C per day have reduced the frequency of the outbreaks significantly. Only recently realized the drug itself is making me feel like crap. Going to try more Lysine + Vit. C and skip the Valtrex altogether. M 44 2 years
3/28/2008
 3  HSV 2 After 2 months of suppressive therapy I have started to notice memory loss, blurred vision, and a very itchy rash that started on my back, arms and chest. I was diagnosed with HSV 2 12 years ago, I have only had a few outbreaks over the last 12 years, and have taken Valtrex to treat the outbreaks as they occurred. Started suppressive theray for a very mild outbreak 2 months ago, since I have had another outbreak and all the symptoms I mentioned. I will no longer use for suppressive therapy and will talk to my doctor about other medications or only taking when I feel an outbreak coming on. 2 months
3/25/2008
 5  Cold sores on lips Brief, sharp pains just above hip, maybe once every two days. Is a wonder drug. I work with the public and had constant outbreaks on my lower lip, sometimes up to 5 cold sores at once. First tried a one-time rx, then another massive outbreak a week later. Rx for 1000mg/day has left me outbreak-free for months. It is about $10/day, thank goodness for my health plan! I so have a slight concern about a recurring pain, am going for blood tests next week to see if there is a correlation. If you have info about kidney/liver troubles that may arise due to valtrex, please drop me a note! M 27 4 months
3/20/2008
 4  genital herpes Initially I got mild headaches and sudden sharp nerve pain in head. Also noticed the red spots on my trunk that others have mentioned. Dizziness on lying down and getting up, but am learning to live with it. Most annoying side effect has been tachycardia, but I cured that by taking 1/4 of a 90 mg tablet of potassium with the Valtrex. Can Valtrex cause potassium depletion? Have definitely noticed a loss of energy and an inclination to nap after lunch, something I had not done before. Will try taking the pill before sleeping instead of in the morning and see if that helps. Have had GH for almost 20 years. Very infrequent breakouts at first, but outbreaks increased after age 60. Was happy to find a doctor who prescribed Valtrex suppressive therapy, one 500 mg tablet a day. It works like a charm, but if I forget for just one day I get a tingle in the sole of my foot that tells me a breakout is imminent. I also worry about long term side effects but my doctor says Valtrex has been used for many years and at one point the maker was considering making it available over the counter since it was so safe. Hard to imagine since it's so expensive. F 64 8 months
3/10/2008
 3  genital herpes Severe joint (hip&knee) pain, back pain, vision blurriness, headaches and muscle stiffness. I started taking valtrex 1 year ago 1/day. I take it at night so I don't notice the sleepiness. I thought all was well but in the last 9 months, I've been chronically injured. My muscles hurt all the time, I've been in physical therapy for over 3 months and they can't figure out why I'm always injure or in pain. Plus I've been to my eye doctor a couple of times because my vision has been blurry and we've been trying different types of lenses. PT recently asked me about my meds, but I didn't mention the valtrex. After reading these posts I'm starting to think it is the valtrex. I found some relief in the number of outbreaks, but not noticeably better than before. Especially not worth it if it is causing these other problems. F 38 1 years
3/7/2008
 3  herpes type 2 itchy!!-mostly on my legs.Couldn't stop sratching so I lowered the dosage and it seems to help a bit. Eyes don't seem to focus 100%. F 46 30 days
3/4/2008
 5  cold sore Head Ach, nausea, grogginess, fatigue, muscle weakness, aching muscles and joints. Works great, got the cold sore and one day later it is barely noticeable... M 32 2 days
2/27/2008
 4  HSV-1 none i try to take it daily but, its hard to remember too living such an active life like i do. since i was diagnosed last april i havent had any more breakouts..im satisfied so far but, i havent been takin it for long. F 19 1 years
2/25/2008
 3  HSV1 genital/lowerback/facial Pins & needles, pricky feelings around body, almost like shivers, slight numbness hands and feet, twitches. Disturbed sleep due to symptoms. On Valtrex 500mg twice a day since Feb 07, (had Herpes for over 20 yrs but never to current severity or frequency, suspect menopause could be trigger) have had what I think is these side effects in areas where virus errupts, but daily and the severity alters. These symptoms started 9 months into suppressive treatment, so I assume it is the Valtrex not nerve damage. Can still 'sense' when outbreak is taking place, no pain or blisters but aware of nerves jangling, no pain though. Have been given Gabapentin, a nerve calmer, to address possible side effects of Valtrex, not taking it as no doubt the Gabbapentin will also have side effects! No option but to endure and continue. F 48 12 months
2/25/2008
 2  Shingles I felt out of it, did weird things, like talk out loud when no one in room, found myself doing stuff with my hands like brushing my hair and I had no hairbrush?! I felt like I had taken an overdose of pain meds or something, just real messed up, hate, rather just have symptoms and treat the pain. F 56 1 days
2/20/2008
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 5  HHV6, EBV, CMV, HSV None. First 8 months all viral IgM titers dropped to normal range with the exception of HSV. 7 months later, all IgG titers returned to normal with exception of HSV and CMV. Has worked amazingly well surprisingly well on HHV6 and EBV. Highly recommend. F 44 1.5 years
2/9/2008
 3  HSV-1 genital herpes migraines,fever,nausea,diarrhoea,dizziness,vision a bit foggy, joint pain, period pain I'm confused. I'm not sure whether what I'm feeling is symptoms of the medication, or whether it's the virus of herpes causing these things in me. I was diagnosed with herpes 4 months ago, and have been taking the medication as a suppressent since then. The migranes are full on, sharp and heavy, and cause me to be home. The rest of the time I've got a medium kind of headache constantly. I've become alot more tired also. I get the tingiling alot of the time, but this doesn't end in an outbreak. I've only had the sores once, but I get tingiling in the genital area, and also around my body, mostly in my legs and in my back quite often. My period pain has increased, I've never had such strong cramps. I'm sceptical about this medication, and intend on searching for natural ways in which to suppress the herpes. I'm keen to hear from anyone that knows anything about natural remedies, or experiences or anything!email me. F 23 4 months
2/4/2008
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 4  Herpes Yeast infection. I ended my 5 day treatment and saw immediate results and sores went away. However, I immediately started my period and now am dealing with a yeast infection. Since I haven't had a yeast infection in over 10 years, I'm starting to think it had something to do with the Valtrex but cannot find anything that agrees with my suspicion. After 3 days of taking the medication I began seeing positive results. By day 7 (2 days after I ended my 10 pills (twice a day)) I saw zero symptoms. I have chosen, at this time, not to take daily but will consider if I'm with a partner for preventive. So far so good, no breakouts (but it's early). We'll see. F 34 5 days
2/3/2008
 1  Cold Sores Severe migraine headaches, nausea, vomiting If you have issues with migraine headaches, beware about take this medication. It gave me major migraines after just the second dose. F 41 1 days
2/3/2008
 4  Cold sores on lips BAD jitteryness, slight nausea, slight headache. I take it as soon as my lips start to tingle and the outbreak never happens. It's works great and is such a relief. F 18 12 months
1/29/2008
 5  Shingles none Three pills a day for five days. Relief in 2 days from the rash. M 50 5 days
1/27/2008
 4  shingles Doing wonders at preventing spread/clearing up of back lesions. However, I'm just so very tired and wondered if this is from the Valtrex. (I've only taken pain meds at night for the last several days.) Seems a godsend if it cuts the spread/pain so quickly. First time with shingles and this medication though. I'm a little over halfway through the course. F 53 10 days
1/26/2008
 4  bells palsy Tired, crampy, gassy, pins and needles. I have been on this med for 3 days. Last night was the first night I felt a lot of pins and needles. It made me very uncomfortable. I am just wondering why I get that type of symptom now, and not as a first reation to the med. F 45 3 days
1/22/2008
 3  HSV-2 I havn't even taken a full month of Valtrex yet. But I've already experienced Nausea and almost constant bloating and abdominal pain. M 21 21 days
1/22/2008
 4  herpes cold sores worked only been on for 1 week but seems to be helping had a minor out break, but not severe.cant wait to get back to normal, sores in my scalp going away but got one on lip today? M 43 1 weeks
1/14/2008

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