Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 25
About Valtrex
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: Valtrex for shingles
Date: 2/17/2008
I am taking 1 gram valtrex q 8 hrs for shingles. At first I thought I also had a virus as I had a fever the first day but now after I take each pill I feel extremely anxious and tingly all over and tired. Almost like I should have a fever but don’t. These feelings then come in waves for awhile then go away after about 6 hours. Is this really a viral infection or the pill?
Sheila
AskDocWeb: The symptoms of shingles may include:
- fever and chills
- abdominal pain
- burning sensation
- extreme sensitivity in a certain part of your body
- fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- headache
- itching
- numbness
- pain
- red rash that begins a few days after the pain
- tingling
- upset stomach
Typically the rash occurs only on one side of the body which is helpful in diagnosing shingles. The first sign of shingles is usually pain. For some, just the slightest touch causes severe pain. Some people experience the pain without the rash, which makes diagnosing shingles more difficult. Although the shingles rash may resemble chickenpox, the virus usually causes more pain and less itching when it resurfaces as shingles.
Subj: Yeast infections
Date: 2/20/2008
I started taking valtrex 5oo mg tablets twice daily for about 1 month for suppression, and I did notice that I was getting yeast infections (well, what felt like one- extreme itchiness and redness). I read a lot of comments about women complaining of this, and some women even complained of extreme vaginal pain. I stared to take lactobacillus acidophilus on my own, one capsule daily, with the valtrex, to see if it helped to balance the yeast that the medication was perhaps killing off. It helped right away, the redness and burning went away. Is it possible that valtrex can kill off natural yeast, the same as antibiotics do?
Simone
AskDocWeb: Valtrex is not supposed to kill off the natural yeast and yeast infections are not listed as a side effect but that does seem to happen in some cases.
Subj: Hands tingling and ankles itching
Date: 2/20/2008
I am taking Valtrex for the first time. 500mg twice a day for three days. It seems to be working fine but is it unusual for my hands to feel very tender and itchy. They almost have a tingling feeling. My outbreak was in my genital area so I thought it was strange that I am feeling this in my hands. The only area that is itching some is my ankles. Thanks for your help.
Bret
AskDocWeb: Tingling and itching seem to go hand in hand with genital herpes. A tingling sensation is one of the earliest signs of an impending outbreak but that typically occurs at the site of the future outbreak. When you have an outbreak, keep your hands, your partner and toys away from the blisters. It is possible to spread herpes to other parts of your body, including your hands and ankles.
Subj: Valtrex side effects
Date: 2/22/2008
I suffer from chronic mouth ulcers and have been prescribed valtrex. I have gone the past 6 months now with at least one ulceration a week and I can not stand the pain any longer. I am assured that valtrex will help fight the infection, however I am discouraged by reading the side effects such as facial swelling, kidney impairment, sterility etc. am I overworying?
Sam
AskDocWeb: Since you don’t mention having any side effects, it sounds like you might be a little too concerned. Most people don’t have any side effect. For example, nausea is the most frequent side effect experienced but that happens to only 15% of users. That means 85% of users are not bothered by nausea.
Subj: Juggling blindness risk with cost, hassle
Date: 2/22/2008
I’ve had the following outbreaks of shingles
1) 5 years ago, high stress, R sideburn area, significant sores, cleared in ~3 weeks w/ valtrex
2) 4 weeks ago med stress, just under nose, minor sores, cleared in ~1wk w/ valtrex
I’m now under extreme stress and figure to be for some time (elder care crisis, etc.) And, I’m feeling a few twinges in the eye area, which may be shingles. Or, they may be psychosomatic because doc told me to be alert for just that. Should I go to ER and ask for an immediate shot? Should I also go on long term valtrex? I’m juggling blindness risk with cost, hassle, and risk of increasing my valtrex tolerance over time if I use it regularly, and would appreciate any advice. I understand the responsibility is mine. Thanks,
Jerry
AskDocWeb: Your safest course of action is to consult with your physician and let your doctor make the choice.
Subj: I’m afraid to take anymore
Date: 2/25/2008
I took valtrex on my first outbreak in Jan, then I started taking it again in the middle of Feb because I thought I was having another outbreak and I happened to drink alcohol on top of it one night (I already have elevated liver enzymes so I probably shouldn’t have drank) but anyways I seemed to be a little off, my pupils were dialated and I was acting weird, like I was a little high but it wore off within an hour. The next day I took another and I was high for hours. I was acting jittier and was not in my normal state of mind and had a headache for days. I’m afraid to take anymore, I told my doctor and he said it was probably a one time thing but I’m afraid to take anymore what should I do?
John
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you might want to stay away from the alcohol. Although no interaction is listed for alcohol and Valtrex, a few people have reported an increased susceptibility to the affects of alcohol.
Subj: Hives
Date: 2/25/2008
After taking my first pill of Valtrex 1000 mg for shingles, I developed hives within 2 hours. Should I discontinue taking valtrex or will it be okay if I just ignore the hives and continue taking the medicine.
Jan
AskDocWeb: Please don’t ignore the hives, there could be serious consequences. Hives should be reported to your physician as soon as possible.
Subj: Valtrex side effects
Date: 2/28/2008
I have the shingels. The doctor prescribed valtrex1gm is this mg going to do harm or side efect?
Maggie
AskDocWeb: Your doctor would not prescribe it if he thought it would do you harm. While it is possible to have side effects, they do not happen to everyone. Most people do not have any side effects.
Subj: Genital herpes
Date: 3/3/2008
I have suffered from genital herpes for about 5 years now. Although the outbreaks are much less frequent now they tend to be more severe and longer lasting, sometimes moving from one spot to another when they do occur. Today is my 4th day of taking valtrex 1g for prevention. On my third day I developed cold sores on my lips. I have had cold sores before but very rarely, maybe once every two years. Is this just a coincidence or is it possible that the valtrex triggered it?
Chris
AskDocWeb: It’s just a coincidence.
Subj: Drinking and Valtrex
Date: 3/4/2008
Is drinking and taking Valtex cause any side effect???
Jasmine
AskDocWeb: Using alcohol does not seem to affect the effectiveness of Valtrex but some people have reported an increased sensitivity to alcohol when taking Valtrex.
Subj: Detox off Valtrex?
Date: 3/4/2008
I have been taking Valtrex daily for 5 months and would like to get off. Is there a good way to detox off the medication or should I just stop taking it? Anything I should watch for?
Marlene
AskDocWeb: The increased risk of outbreaks should be carefully considered. Please discuss the consequences of discontinuing Valtrex with your physician.
Subj: Why can’t they come up with a cure?
Date: 3/6/2008
I was diagnosed with herpes when I was 17. I am now in my late 30’s. I took Valtrex for years straight for supression. It did help. I now take it only during breakouts. I had my children via c-section just because of breakout worries. The only side effects I notice is depression, fatigue, diarreah. I am with the guy who wrote in and wanted to know why there is no cure for Herpes. I have spent 20yrs with this. If they can come up with a cure for HPV why can’t they come up with one for this? It is my understanding 1 in every 5 have it. I am not sure the statistics on HPV but, Herpes seems to be pretty high. I guess for anyone considering this medication is it has been safe for me. What’s the alternative?
June
AskDocWeb: There are few alternatives to Valtrex, Famvir and Zovirax are a couple. Creating a vaccine for a virus is much more difficult than creating one for a germ although progress is being made. We now have a vaccine for cervical cancer and another for brain cancer is to be unveiled on June 1st. Other vaccines are in clinical trials like ImmunoVEX and AG-707, and others are in pre-clinical trials.
Subj: Does valtrex trigger outbreaks?
Date: 3/20/2008
I’ve had herpes for 8 years now and only had an outbreak about 2-4 times a year. I took valtrex when I was having an outbreak for about a week each time. Now I’m dating someone and thought I should take it everyday because of the commercials I’m seeing on TV stating that you should take valtrex once a day to prevent spreading, since taking it (3 months now) I’ve had one outbreak after another. I get another one before the other one heals. Of course I thought about stop taking the valtrex but I keep thinking the outbreaks are going to stop and I would feel better thinking I’m taking extra precautions to protect my partner. We’ve been together for 3 months now and we haven’t been able to have sex because of the outbreaks. (He is real understanding and is putting up with this, thank god) I’m wondering is this normal in some people, maybe valtrex triggers outbreaks, is my body going to finally ‘take’ to this medicine, should I quit taking it all together. I’m at my wits end. I don’t know how much longer my boyfriend is going to be understanding and I don’t know how much more of this I can take!
Sammy
AskDocWeb: Several people have asked about the possibility that Valtrex may trigger outbreaks but we have no data on that. What triggers an attack is not known but it is possible that your dosage may need to be adjusted so consult with your physician. Read more feedback about Valtrex. Valtrex report – 22 – 23 – 24 – Page 25 – 26 – 27 – 28 – Last Page 58
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