Valtrex Feedback

If you use Valtrex, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell someone considering using this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Long-term Valtrex
Date: 10/14/2004
Hi, I wanted to know more about the ingredients in valtrex, and if any of them can have a long term effect on my body. I take 1000 mg of valtrex every day to suppress any herpes outbreaks. I am very concerned that taking this medicine everyday for the rest of my life can cause some long term negative effects on my body. How toxic are the ingredients in valtrex? Also, is it o.k. if I take 1 or 2 pills a day or do I need to be consistent in the amount of milligrams per day. I started with only 500 mg, but I kept feeling slight outbreaks coming on about twice a month, so I requested from my doctor to try 1000 mg instead. So far, I haven't noticed anymore outbreaks, but I don't like taking so much medication. Please give me some advice. Thank you.
Laura

AskDocWeb: You might talk to your doctor about the idea of taking the 500 mg most of the time and when you feel an outbreak coming on, replace the 500 mg with a 1000 mg dose.

The only long term affect we are aware of is that you can become hypersensitive to the drug. There are no long term studies done that we know of with this drug.

Subj: Fatigue and Valtrex
Date: 10/21/2004
taking valtrex 1gm 3x/day for shingles. I'm really tired and grumpy. Kind of loopy too (not feeling all there). That could be the shingles, though, I don't know. Anyway, I looked up this site because I was wondering if the medicine was supposed to make me so incredibly tired. Anyway, that's my feedback/question. Thanks,
Tmb

AskDocWeb: Valtrex can cause depression, which may make you feel tired.

Subj: Shingles?
Date: 10/22/2004
I was prescribed Valtrex 1gm for shingles, I'm not sure I have shingles. I have no rash, I have pain and numbness on my left side under my breast. I am afraid of valtrex because of all the side effects. I am only to take it 1 week. Will it be safe to take?
Karen

AskDocWeb: If your doctor says you have shingles then you can be sure that you do. And yes, it will be safe for you to take. Shingles doesn't always appear on the surface, it follows a nerve path and causes sharp pains.

Subj: Valtrex for cold sores
Date: 11/4/2005
I take Valtrex for chronic cold sores, big nasty ones. I have found it helps better than anything else I've tried. However I was wondering if it has any negative affects on the liver or any other organs in the body?
Tania

AskDocWeb: No, not as long as your organs are healthy before you begin taking it.

Subj: Valtrex hair loss
Date: 11/7/2005
I have had severe hair loss since starting valtrex. I stopped taking it 2 weeks ago. I have an appt. with my doctor to discuss symptoms. It is very scary to find out you have herpes and even scarier when you start getting side affects with what is going to help.
Maricela

AskDocWeb: Yes, your hair loss could be caused by the Valtrex.

Subj: Mat herpes
Date: 11/8/2005
I have been given valtrex to start taking to try to reduce the chance that I would get mat herpes (cause I wrestle and the team is breaking out bad with it). I was just wondering what are the odds of me getting the side effects that are most common of valtrex?
Josh

AskDocWeb: Well, anyone can get the side effects listed with Valtrex, it can't be helped, sorry. But very few complain of these side effects, and you will not have all of them. It is possible you won't have any.

Subj: Vaginal yeast infection
Date: 11/28/2005
I experience a vaginal yeast infection whenever I have genital herpes outbreak and take Valtrex. Does anyone know if this is related to the herpes outbreak or the medicine? Has anyone also experienced this?
Anon

AskDocWeb: A vaginal yeast infection could be caused by the herpes outbreak but not the Valtrex.

Subj: Mouth fungus
Date: 11/30/2005
I've been taking Valtrex or over 2 months for herpes in my eye. Recently I'm experiencing mouth tingling and dryness. My eye doctor tells me that he has never heard of that side effect, and my general doctor is treating me for fungus in my mouth. Any suggestions or insight.
Michele

AskDocWeb: The Valtrex wouldn't cause the tingling in your mouth. The tingling could be caused by whatever you are using for your oral fungus.

Subj: Depression and anxiety?
Date: 12/9/2005
What is the percentage of Valtrex causing depression or anxiety? I have been taking it once a day for suppressive and have noticed I have alot more anxiety than usual..
Mike

AskDocWeb: Valtrex doesn't cause anxiety. About 5% of patents taking the 500 mg dose experience depression.

Subj: Valtrex dosage
Date: 12/18/2005
I'm infected with hsv-2, and taking 1g Valtrex once-a-day for suppression. Was taking 500 mg once-a-day, but had an outbreak after about 1 month treatment so I upped the dosage. I've been on 1000 mg regime for about 2 months now and have had one outbreak. I'd really like to stop having outbreaks. Are there any additional treatments that can be used in combination with Valtrex? Perhaps a topical antiviral? Also have a sore throat that has not gone away for over a month. Can herpes cause sore throat?
Jer

AskDocWeb: Sorry Jer, there are no other products you can use with Valtrex to completely stop the outbreaks. We are however, getting closer to a cure, perhaps within the next five to ten years.

Subj: Severe chills and disorientation
Date: 12/22/2005
I was finally diagnosed with shingles that were first thought to be insect bites. I was prescribed Valtrex approximately ten days after the bumps first appeared. After my second pill at a dose of 500mg 3x per day I experienced severe chills, disorientation and a cold feeling in my chest. Could this be an adverse or allergic reaction?
Sonya

AskDocWeb: Yes it could, seek medical advice from your physician.

Subj: Valtrex and pregnancy
Date: 12/22/2005
Is Valtrex safe to take during pregnancy?
Jennifer

AskDocWeb: Valtrex is in category "C" and has not been tested in pregnant women. Some animal testing has uncovered a chance of harm. However, the likelihood of harm is considered small enough to justify taking it if it's essential to your health. Your doctor can make that determination for you based on your medical condition and history.

Subj: Resent research on herpes
Date: 12/27/2005
I had outbreaks, many back to back, for years. Daily Valtrex for a year seemed to break the cycle so I stopped it, but months later, it returned. I take it now and I've never had a visible outbreak while on it, but remember, you can pass it on even if you have no visible symptoms, says the most recent research.
Bryan

Subj: Muscle spasms, heart pain and hair loss
Date: 1/1/2006
Does Valtrex cause hair loss and I've been getting pains in my legs real bad like muscle spasms and my hearts been hurting off and on. Could it be from valtrex? I take it for genital herpes.
Annoymous

AskDocWeb: No, Valtrex is not likely to cause the muscle spasms or chest pain but it does sometimes cause hair loss. You can find our list of drugs that cause hair loss here. You should get the chest pain checked by your doctor as soon as possible.

Subj: Twitching finger?
Date: 1/7/2006
I just started taking Valtrex today and my pincky finger is twitching and that hand is tingling. Is this a side effect of valtrex or hsv?
K

AskDocWeb: It is not a reported side effect, but please report this to your physician immediately.

Subj: Headaches
Date: 11/22/2003
I get very bad headaches with this medication.
Connie

Subj: Double dose
Date: 1/11/2006
I am on the 1g Valtrex pill for cold sores. I am instructed to take 2 at the first sign then another 2, 12 hours after that. Since I am doubling my dosage does that mean I double my chances to experience side effects?
Katharine

AskDocWeb: Don't confuse the number of pills you take with the dosage, they are not the same. If you are instructed to take 2 pills at a time then one dose equals 2 pills.

Subj: Tremors and confusion from Valtrex
Date: 1/17/2006
After being treated for Shingles of the face and eye with Valtrex my husband started to suffer from tremors and severe confusion. One of his eyes clamped shut. Is this confusion irreversible?
Gloria

AskDocWeb: It is impossible to say. It sounds like a neurologist should examine your husband so find the cause and extent of the damage. They can give you a better idea of what to expect.

Subj: Valtrex and Advil?
Date: 1/28/2006
While using valtrex, can you take advil or any pain reliever drugs?
Jeri

AskDocWeb: Yes, in general it is safe to take Advil while on Valtrex but you should ask your doctor if there are any other health concerns that should be considered.

Subj: Vatrex
Date: 1/30/2006
I'm taking Vatrex once a day 500mg and thinking about getting pregnant will Vatrex harm the baby and I where could I get some information about this, I take the 500mg for suppression purposes.
Tina

AskDocWeb: Speak with your doctor (OB/GYN) about your prenatal concerns, she's the best information tool.

Subj: Weight gain?
Date: 1/31/2006
Does Valtrex cause weight gain?
R

AskDocWeb: No, it doesn't cause weight gain.

Subj: Ebstein Barr Virus
Date: 2/3/2006
I have been prescribed 1500 mg. Valtrex 3 times a day for Ebstein Barr Virus. I am suppose to take this for 3 months. Is this safe? Thanks,
Tammy

AskDocWeb: 1500 mgs seems to be a lot, ask your physician if this is his correct directions.

Subj: Uncomfortable
Date: 2/11/2005
I've genital herpes for 6 months. The entire past 6 months, I have had a constant outbreak! Not only is it painful, it is very annoying. I'm taking 500mg of Valtrex a day to suppress the outbreaks. I have been taking it for two months, and there is no difference in the number of outbreaks(or the severity of them)that I am having. I went to know how long does it take for Valtrex to work? I want to be switched to something else, but my gynecologist says that Valtrex will work. I am very uncomfortable. What do you think?
Melanie

AskDocWeb: You should Talk to your doctor about this problem. It sounds like your dosage may need to be adjusted.

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This website is protected by copyright © 2002-2007 Askdocweb, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This is a layman's report on Valtrex and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. Do not use this information as a substitute for your doctor's advice. Always consult your doctor before taking any drug and follow your doctor's directions. Source material: United States Food and Drug Administration, Medline, Physician's Desk Reference, Universities and people just like you who are concerned about the side effect of health products.