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Share your experience: submit a drug review
Below are Valtrex (Valacyclovir) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence. | | Valtrex review by 59 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | No Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | shingles |
| Dosage & duration: | | 1000 mg (generic) taken 4 times a day for the period of still taking at 800 mg 3 times a day |
| Other conditions: | | developed Ramsay-Hunt syndrome prior to mega doses of acyclovir |
| Other drugs taken: | | acupril 20 mg od, estratest hs od | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | Prior to starting 1000 mg acyclovir QID, I was taking the standard 200 mg 5 times a day regimin. I devloped the shingles in the 5th cranial nerve. I had lesions following the entire nerve roots across my face, but had them internally as well. There were lesions in the ear canal, the side of my tongue and down my throat. I had taken a flu shot and had exposure to sun, as well as starting 2 new jobs about the same time as the first onset. I developed 1 blister which I thought was herpes. I had not had a herpes outbreak in years. I started the acyclovir and noticed more and different complaints every day. I first got a lesion on the entrance to the ear canal and more accompanying the first one on my lower chin. Then my lower teeth began to become painful, as if I had a great toothache. After about 4 days, I began to feel exhausted and unable to snap out of my fatigue. The next day I awoke and had a sensation that my mouth was not fully moving. Later the eye began to remain open and would not blink. The 3rd day of these symtoms, I devloped total paralysis of the left face. I saw 1 of my doctors immediately. He gave me a cortisone shot and told me the dose of acyclovir to take. He said it was bell's palsey. A friend called and said it was Ramsay-Hunt. I was on bedrest from Mid October until 2 weeks ago. I have very little stamina, and slowly I am getting more energy. The latest addition to my medication arsenal was Alpha-lipoic acid. I had statrted lysine and red marine algae. I stopped coffe, soda, most meat and ate only what little I cooked or made myself. I am pleased that most of my facial functions have returned, with the exception of the eye bliking completely, and a slight difference in my smile. I take at least 1 dose of ibuprophen every day due to neuralgia or a sense of swelling in my left face. |
| Side effects: | | I did not notice any. |
| Comments: | | acyclovir, rest. PRN doses of ibuprophen. Tape eye shut and use of moisture drops. |
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| | Valtrex review by 31 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | |  |
| Effectiveness: | | Considerably Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Herpes |
| Dosage & duration: | | 500mg taken once per day for the period of 1 month |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | none | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | Was taking this drug for herpes suppression. It is recommended by some to take an antiviral for one year after the initial outbreak so as to have less outbreaks over one's lifetime. I did get an outbreak while on the drug, however it was during a very stressful time so that is understandable. Also, it is nice that only one dose is needed per day for most people. |
| Side effects: | | Side effects included mild hair loss (had much more hair loss on acyclovir), random dry heaving (retching) for no apparent reason, and headaches. Although it seems that when I drink lots of water the headaches are fewer. |
| Comments: | | Took one pill per day at the same time everyday. It does and will stain things so be careful of the blue dye. |
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| | Valtrex review by 26 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Highly Effective |
| Side effects: | | Moderate Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | herpes |
| Dosage & duration: | | ? (dosage frequency: once weekly) for the period of 2 years |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | N/A | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | With the valtrex I was treat coldsores only and could aviod break outs yr long. If i stopped I was garenteed to get one |
| Side effects: | | I was taking them on an empty stomach and developed ulsers and Heart burn, acid reflux |
| Comments: | | pill form, once a day. But now because of side affects I only take it once a week or when needed. |
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| | Valtrex review by 43 year old female patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Considerably Effective |
| Side effects: | | No Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | Chronic Cold Sores |
| Dosage & duration: | | 4 Tablets then another 4 in 12 hours taken first sign of the cold sore for the period of 3 Separate Break Outs |
| Other conditions: | | None |
| Other drugs taken: | | None | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | The first time I took it the cold sore ended up just slightly smaller than they usually are. The second time it was about 1/2 the size. The third time it got red and itchy but it didn't actually blister. The forth time I didn't take the medication because it was only the size of a small pimple. I used to get them about every 4 to 6 weeks but the last one came about 4 months after the previous one. |
| Side effects: | | No side effects at all. |
| Comments: | | You take 4 pills as soon as you can tell the cold sore is beginning and then 4 pills 12 hours later. |
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| | Valtrex review by 40 year old male patient | | | Rating |
| Overall rating: | | |
| Effectiveness: | | Moderately Effective |
| Side effects: | | No Side Effects | | |
Treatment Info |
| Condition / reason: | | herpes |
| Dosage & duration: | | 500 mg taken 2 times a day for the period of 10 days |
| Other conditions: | | none |
| Other drugs taken: | | none | | |
Reported Results |
| Benefits: | | To lessen the severity of an onset or outbreak of genital herpes. |
| Side effects: | | I had no noticable side effects to taking the medication. |
| Comments: | | I started taking the medication at the first signs of an outbreak (usually a brief sharp pain at the site). The medication seemed to shorten the actual outbreak time and lessened the pain and discomfort. |
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