Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 18
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If you use Valtrex, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about 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: How long for shingles?
Date: 5/31/2007
I have been taking valtrex 1gm 3 times a day for two months for shingles. At first I felt a lot better tired but alot better than before, it really helped the itching. My question is, how long do people stay on this for shingles? I don’t see much improvement over the past month I have good days and really bad days? Also lost 5lbs, food doesn’t taste good and I also have burning in spinal cord.
Joanne
AskDocWeb: It depends on the amount of damage caused by the shingles. Typically the symptoms indicate how long treatment should last. Two months does seem longer than normal.
Subj: Drinking alcohol
Date: 6/2/2007
Hello, I’m 137, 5′ 8″, slim build man, will Drinking Alcohol (Vodka/Rum) with Valtrex cause any side-effects? So far I’ve taken 3 doses, 12 hours in between.
Ry.
AskDocWeb: You can drink while on valtrex.
Subj: Confused
Date: 6/4/2007
I have been taking this medication as needed since last October, when I had my first initial outbreak. I had to take it so often, the doctor prescribed it as a suppressive therapy treatment 2 months ago. In the last month I have experienced the following: Abnormal fatigue, Nausea, Constipation, headaches, bloating nonstop all the time, bitter taste in my mouth, won’t go away, weight gain prior to taking it every day. I experienced NONE of these symptoms. I’m unsure of what to do…this concerns me since I am a very healthy person normally…I guess I will try to only take it as needed. The side effects are outweighing my desire to continue its use.
Marie
Subj: Valtrex and pregnancy
Date: 6/9/2007
I’m pregnant and my outbreaks have increased through my pregnancy. My doctor recommended that I should take Valtrex the last month of the pregnancy, will this harm my baby?
Stephanie
AskDocWeb: No it will not harm your baby. Valtrex is in the FDA pregnancy category B, which means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.
Subj: Death
Date: 6/10/2007
My Daughter was prescribed Valtrex for shingles, she was seventeen years old, at the age of (?) she had a heart transplant and was taking anti rejection drugs, these drugs damaged her kidneys and she was on dialysis, everything was going well, she was very well and fit until she was prescribed Valtrex for the shingles. She prescribed the dose anyone could have taken and she was taken very ill she very sadly died, could the overdose of valtrex been to blame, I have tried asking lots of people but always had the door slammed in my face, PLEASE could you help me.
Patricia
AskDocWeb: You have our condolences for your tragic loss. Valtrex is prescribed for those with normal immune systems. With the potential for a lawsuit it will be difficult to get people to say anything. If that’s what you want then you need to talk to a lawyer.
Subj: Increased outbreaks while on Valtrex
Date: 6/10/2007
I have been taking valtrex for the last year, I also have had an increase number of outbreaks while taking this medication. Which is funny because previous to this I had very few outbreaks for the previous 5 years.
Sarah
AskDocWeb: Things do change over time but you may want to get a physical and discuss this with your doctor.
Subj: Valtrex and birth control
Date: 6/13/2007
Does Valtrex effect the effectiveness of the birth control pill?
Shara
AskDocWeb: No.
Subj: 2 grams of Valtrex
Date: 6/16/2007
I took 2 grams of Valtrex for cankur sores in my mouth and tongue. Immediately after my second dose (within 1 hour), I had a terrible throbbing headache for 30 hours, was also sick to my stomach, and the headache was like a migraine, but I knew it was chemically induced, since I do get migraines. I was on vacation, but read all the instructions and stayed in the condo drinking much water and liquid as advised. I really felt like I needed to be in a hospital, but was too sick to do anything. It took me 3 days to get over it and I will never take Valtrex again.
Roger
Subj: Valtrex dosage and cure?
Date: 6/16/2007
I’ve been using valtrex for gential herpes on an as needed basis when I get the sensations of an imminent outbreak. Dosage instructed by my doctor a few years ago was 2x500mg per day (morning and evening) for 5 days.
1) Is this dosage correct? I see 7 to 10 days on this and many other sites. I’m getting outbreaks every 2 to 4 months.
2)Could I substitute the 2*500mg with 1*1000mg per day? I know dosage is the same but I will just be taking it once per day instead of twice. Any pro’s/con’s of doing this?
3) Any idea’s where the industry is at with finding a cure? Thank you.
T
AskDocWeb: The dosage and length of time taken is always up to the physician. It sounds like it is time for you to visit your doctor to find out if your dosage needs adjusted. As for a cure, progress is being made and several different vaccines are in various stages of development. We look for an effective vaccine to be available in 3-5 years. Most of these new vaccines are intended to aid in the prevention of herpes. One new treatment is almost here – Isoniplex is currently available in most countries, but the US Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve it. Isoprinosine is another hopeful. In clinical trials, Acyclovir consistently out-performs it but a number of studies report that the combination is superior to either drug alone. In November 2002, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals announced the launch of their phase III trial, called the “HERPEVAC Trial for Women” (sorry guys), which has good potential for an effective vaccine. Unfortunately it appears that it will only be effective for women.
Subj: Sore throat
Date: 6/16/2007
I have taken Valtrex for only 4 days now and the sore throat is so bad I have to stop. What is making my throat hurt so bad along with a sever headache. Can I cut the pill in half and try that or do you suggest something else. I have been recently diagnosed I have had one outbreak but thinking back I have had symptoms a while so why didn’t I get an outbreak way back then. Because my throat hurts so bad I have not been able to eat so Valtrex seems to make me lose weight.
Rhonda
AskDocWeb: You can’t stop taking them without suffering the consequences. And you can’t cut them in half. What you can do is tell your doctor about your sore throat so that your dosage can be adjusted or another medication prescribed.
Subj: How long
Date: 6/18/2007
How long after you stop taking valtrex does it leave your system?
Pat
AskDocWeb: Since the half-life of Valtrex averages 2.5 to 3.3 hours, the amount of time that Valtrex stays in your body is relatively short. Half-life refers to the amount of time required for half the drug to leave your system.
Subj: Fatigue, depression, and headaches
Date: 6/21/2007
I am taking Valtrex for chronic EB and HHV6 making me extremely not well. I am taking 2000mg per day, and my fatigue, depression, and headaches have become worse, alot worse. Could this be due to the Valtrex?
Chris
AskDocWeb: Headaches are considered an adverse reaction and should be reported to your physician.
Subj: Valtrex pill is large
Date: 6/22/2007
The valtrex pill is so large, can I cut it in half to take it?
P
AskDocWeb: It doesn’t appear to be made to cut in half but some people are doing that.
Subj: Trying to conceive
Date: 6/23/2007
I take valtrex daily and it works very well in suppressing outbreaks. I was wondering does it have any effect if you are trying to conceive?
Janis
AskDocWeb: No.
Subj: Oral cyclosporin
Date: 6/24/2007
I’ve been on 1 gm Valtrex daily to suppress cold sores and the HSV-associated skin blistering (erythema multiforme). I had good suppression for six months (and no side effects)but now, after 2 recent outbreaks I’m looking for alternative treatments. Looking into oral cyclosporin. Anyone had success with this approach?
Stevea
Subj: Itchy and lethargic
Date: 6/29/2007
I was diagnosed via viral culture with genital HSV-1 a month ago. I was given the 3-a-day, 10-day regimen of Zovirax. Less than a week later, I had another outbreak and this time the doc prescribed 500mg dose twice daily of Valtrex. I was itchy all over (not just my pubic area)and lethargic then, but I just assumed it was the herpes doing its thing. It’s almost two weeks later and I’ve found myself on Valtrex YET AGAIN. I’m itchy and lethargic. Maybe I need to drink more water?
Itchy
AskDocWeb: No, the water won’t work, go back to your physician.
Subj: Helpful review
Date: 6/29/2007
I thought this review was very helpful. It did answer a few questions even some I didn’t know. It feels good to be able to have a lot of support.
Yvette
Subj: Prescribed Valtrex
Date: 7/1/2007
I was recently diagnosed with Herpes I – I was prescribed Valtrex. The doctor said to take the medication for a year every day and hopefully after the year the flare-ups would lessen. Have you found that it is better to take it straight for a year or only take the medication when a flare-up occurs? The reason I ask is I don’t want my body to be completely reliant on the meds by taking it straight for a year. As I have heard once people have stopped taking the meds then that is when they experience the most flare-ups. Is it better for my body to try and control the flare-ups on its own with the occasional help of the meds when it does flare up?
Tess
AskDocWeb: People do it both ways, it just depends on the individual. If you use it only when you feel the tingling of a breakout, you may have more breakouts.
Subj: Menstruation cycle
Date: 7/3/2007
I was taking valtrex to help treat shingles, I was taking the 7-day dosage. I am also currently taking birth control pills. I was wondering if the valtrex has any effect on my menstruation cycle, if it can cause my period to be late?
Marissa
AskDocWeb: Menstrual problems are listed as a side effect and several women have reported the same experience. It could also to be caused by stress. Read more feedback about Valtrex. Valtrex report – 15 – 16 – 17 –
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