Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 26
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 not working anymore
Date: 3/22/2008
Took Valtrex. It worked. Had a few more cold sores throughout the year. Again, Valtex worked. Problem is, it’s not working anymore. I get these nasty cold sores a few times a year, but I think I may have built up a tolerance to this medicine. What do I do now? Higher dosage?
Mr. Cold Sore
AskDocWeb: Yes, changing your dosage may be required. Consult with your physician.
Subj: Use in children
Date: 3/28/2008
My daughter contracted cold sores as a baby and passed them on to me. I take valtrex when I feel them coming on. It usually stops the outbreak all together with one or two pills. My question is, can my daughter (13) use this product. What are the side effects for her? She is at the age now where she is embarrassed to go out when these occur. They are usually big sores when she does break out. Is there a suitable product for her? Or would a lower dose be ok?
Mark
AskDocWeb: You will have to consult with a dermatologist or a pediatrician for her age group.
Subj: Tired, joint problems and depressed
Date: 4/1/2008
I have been taking valtrex for a little over a year now. I still get outbreaks just not as much as in the beginning. I also have a few side effects. I am an active person but I do find it alot harder to be motivated. I’m just tired. I have a hard time running because of this and on top of that my knees hurt. I never had joint, back or any other problems like this before I went on this medication. I’m only 24 I shouldn’t feel like this. I’m gaining weight now and I’m not sure if it’s another side effect or if it’s do to me not being quite so active. I don’t feel like myself and it’s making me a bit depressed. If it weren’t for my boyfriend who doesn’t have it. I wouldn’t be taking it. I would feel so guilty if I passed it on to him. I got it from my ex. We were together for about a year and he had never told me that he had it. I found out the hard way. He tried to apologize but I couldn’t trust him any longer. I’m still so hurt and untrusting because of all of this. For the person who just found out they have it just know that there are good people out there who will still love you date you and find you sexy.
Ann
Subj: Depressed
Date: 4/2/2008
I am feeling a crushing depression. I NEVER get depressed. This is very abnormal. Sometimes suicidal. I don’t know if it is the Valtrex or if it is just the prospect of most likely being alone for the rest of my life. I can’t risk infecting anyone else. I am angry that my former boyfriend has done this to me, and I couldn’t possibly do it to anyone else. I can’t talk to anyone about it for obvious reasons. so here I am. Would the drug do this to me?
Ellie
AskDocWeb: Depending on dosage, from one to seven percent of users experience depression. Please consult with your physician.
Subj: Hives or allergic reaction?
Date: 4/5/2008
Has valtrex ever been known to cause hives or similar allergic reaction???
Gary
AskDocWeb: Allergic reactions are rare but they do sometimes happen (less than 1%).
Subj: For cold sores
Date: 4/22/2008
I’ve been taking Valtrex 500Mg a day for about 6 or 7 years now for cold sores. I would get them once a month or every other month. Since taking the valtrex, I’ve gotten 4 cold sores over this period of time. Two were do to me stopping the drug and the other two were very mild. I have blood work done 4 times a year, as my cholesterol is high. Everything thus far is great and no outbreaks. I am stopping the medication in September of this year and I will see what happens from there. I fell taking anything for too long can’t be good, but my doctor tells me she’s had people on this drug a lot longer than I and their fine. Hope this is helpful.
LD
Subj: Exposed to genital herpes
Date: 5/31/2008
If you don’t have outbreaks but recently was told at some point you were exposed to genital herpes. Is it necessary to start suppressive therapies like Valtrex?
Worried
AskDocWeb: Just because someone is exposed does not mean that they have contracted it. If you have never had an outbreak then you don’t need to be placed on a therapy program.
Subj: When will symptoms go away?
Date: 6/2/2008
Hi, I started using Valtrex 14 days ago, I had undiagnosed but problematic and sore HSV2 for the preceeding 12 weeks. When will the symptoms go?
Michael
AskDocWeb: That depends on the severity, everyone is different but typically you can expect the crusting over and healing of herpes sores in a few days.
Subj: Pimples
Date: 6/4/2008
Took valtrex now I have pimples on my face. Don’t know if I eat something to make me break out or it’s a reaction to the valtrex. It all started around the same time. Any answers thank you,
Odile
AskDocWeb: Pimples are not an allergic reaction to Valtrex. They are more likely to be from a change in diet.
Subj: Muscle and joint pain
Date: 6/6/2008
I taken valtres for seven day three times a day and have had muscle and joint pain and weak in the arms. I was taking this for shingles. It made the blisters go away but the side effects are too much. It has been nine weeks since I stopped take the med and haven’t found any relief.
Terry
AskDocWeb: Your symptoms are not listed as side effects caused by the Valtrex. Please consult with your physician.
Subj: I need to be prescribed Valtrex
Date: 6/6/2008
Ok, I need to be prescribed to valtrex- I don’t want to go to my doctor as, I don’t have ins. it will cost $80 just to say “hey” can I get a prescription. I’ve only had one genetal outbreak, and mainly coldsore’s, and I think they cause pimples bk stress. I got it from just kissing… for sure. Please help. Sincerely,
George
AskDocWeb: The manufacturer of Valtrex (GlaxoSmithKline) has a program called Bridges to Access that may help with the cost. Valtrex is a prescription drug so you will need to go to a physician’s office or clinic to get a prescription.
Subj: Anxiety?
Date: 6/16/2008
I take one valtrex, in a smaller dose, daily. I almost always take it in the AM with breakfast, however on 5 occasions over the past year, I have taken it at around 10PM. Coincidentally, all 5 times I had significant difficulty falling asleep until at least 3AM, experiencing restlessness and perhaps anxiety. Am I off my rocker, or is there a chance this medication is giving me this type of reaction during the night? Thanks,
Russ
AskDocWeb: A small percentage of Valtrex uers report anxiety as a side effect of Valtrex however, anxiety also has other causes.
Subj: Terrible yeast infection
Date: 6/22/2008
Last year I was diagnosed with clamydia then I got rid of that and got a yeast infection then I was told I had herpes. Then I had 2 bacterial infections. This last time I took my clindesse I waited to have sex until the medicine was done. I was feeling burning in my vaginal area I figured it was just the herpes. I then had sex in which my boyfriend tried to get me pregnant. The next day I seemed to have a terrible yeast infection. What can all this be from? O ya and I took valtrex a few times, is valtrex a type of antibiotic?
Jessica
AskDocWeb: No, Valtrex is an antiviral drug which works on viruses. Antibiotics work on bacterial infections. It sounds like you are being exposed to more bacterial infections. Before you get pregnant-have a discussion with your physician about what needs to be done when you have herpes and before you deliver a baby. It would be a good idea to have your boyfriend checked out by a physician to be tested for any STD’s too, to see if he has any bacterial infections.
Subj: Valtrex and seizures
Date: 7/6/2008
I used Valtrex during the last few weeks of my pregnancy to reduce the chances of an outbreak during labor. All went well. I’m pregnant again and have since heard some disconcerting things about Valtrex use during pregnancy (including one on this site about the baby having a seizure). Has Valtrex been documented to have this kind of negative effect on a baby late in pregnancy?
cc
AskDocWeb: Valtrex is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby but this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
Subj: Valtrex and birth control pills
Date: 7/15/2008
Do Valtrex affect at all the of birth control pills effect? Can I take both at the same time and be sure that each one it is going to work as they supose to?
Sasha
AskDocWeb: Yes, they can be taken at the same time and both will work like they should.
Subj: Viral infection
Date: 7/16/2008
I was prescribed Valtrex for a viral infection based on fuzzy feelings and pain I have been getting in my head along with some numbness in my face. I DO NOT have any of the symptoms showing for herpes. Do people take this for what I appear to be having?? Thank you,
Stacie
AskDocWeb: It is possible to have the herpes virus and yet have few or no symptoms. And yes, Valtrex has been prescribed for viral infections.
Subj: Valtrex hair loss and lysine
Date: 7/18/2008
I have been taking valtrex for over 2 years for Herpes Simplex 1. I have struggled with a recurring yeast infection for over a year and extreme thinning of my hair. I was advised by my doctor to off the daily dosage and only take it during an outbreak. Which is what I intend to do. My question is will my hair come back? And does taking Lysine have any side effects? Thank you!
Kristy
AskDocWeb: Most drug induced hair loss is temporary and stops when the drug is discontinued. Using Valtrex only during outbreaks will minimize the side effects. Lysine is one of the eight essential amino acids and your body cannot manufacture it on its own. And it must be obtained from food sources. It seems to play a major role in coping with stress.
Before taking lysine, talk to your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, allergies, or other medical conditions. If so you may not be able to use lysine. Do not take lysine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether lysine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take lysine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is not known if lysine is harmful to a nursing infant or not. For more about lysine click here.
Subj: Valtrex and outbreaks
Date: 7/21/2008
I took Valtrex for six months when I was first diagnosed (2.5 years ago), then stopped as per my doctor’s recommendation. 6 months after this, having no symptoms or outbreaks and not having taken Valtrex for 6 months, I took it as a precaution before I had sex, the day after my first dose I had an outbreak. I took the pills as directed for the 7-10 days (can’t remember), then was fine. I had no outbreaks for the following year and did not take Valtrex at all. A year later, I decided again to take them as a precaution, after speaking to my doctor, before having sex to prevent passing it on and once again, within 24 hours of the initial dose, had an outbreak. I stopped taking it after 2-3 days because it seemed to get worse and worse. It was gone after the usually 7-10 days and I have not had a problem since, and have not used Valtrex since January, when it seemed to have caused the problem. Has anyone else experienced this? Have there been any studies that show that Valtrex can cause an outbreak?
SY
AskDocWeb: Yes, others have asked about the possibility of Valtrex causing more outbreaks but the jury is still waiting for more evidence before deciding. From you description you could also jump to the conclusion that sex causes outbreaks. It is known that physical stress and emotional stress can cause an outbreak, both of which can occur during sex. Read more feedback about Valtrex. Valtrex report – 23 – 24 – 25 – Page 26 – 27 – 28 – 29 – Last Page 58
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