Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 42
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: Breast feeding
Date: 5/13/2010
I am having breastfeed and I have an asthma can I take xenical?
Evangeline
AskDocWeb: The effects of Valtrex during breast feeding have not yet been adequately studied. Nursing mothers and those who plan on nursing should talk to their doctor first. If you need to use Valtrex, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding while using the medication.
Subj: Cold sores
Date: 5/13/2010
I was taking birth control (YAZ) for over a year when I started getting cold sores every month around the time of my period. Prior to this I only got them 3-4 times per year. I have been taking Valtrex for over 8 months now. 1 500mg tablet per day. I am 41 years old. Since taking the Valtrex daily, I can say only that it has lessened the severity of the cold sore once I get one, however I STILL get them every single month, sometimes twice per month, or in clusters. I’m thinking of changing to Acyclovir as I read that it is really targeted for cold sores while Valtrex is really for genital herpes.
TM
Subj: Thank you Valtrez
Date: 5/15/2010
I have been fighting cold sores since age 5 & was recently prescribed Valtrex at age 47. Cannot believe I have had to live this long without it as Valtrez is DA-BOMB. Cold sores do not flare up at intensely and do not last as long. Thank you Valtrez. But thank goodness I have insurance since would not be able to afford it without.
Deena
Subj: Allergic reaction?
Date: 5/20/2010
My girlfriend of 3 months was just diagnosed with genital HSV 1. She has an underactive Thyroid and is on “armour thyroid”. Over the past month she was outbreak free for only a week. She was prescribed valtrex two days ago and has had itching all over and hives appear. Because of her already weak immune system she should probably be on valtrex, but are the side effects (itching, hives) a sign of an alergic reaction that could turn out to be more severe than just the itching and hives?
CJ
AskDocWeb: When both the disease and the medication used to treat it can produce the same symptoms, it may take an examination and a few tests to tell the difference.
Subj: Psoriasis
Date: 5/20/2010
Do you know if there are any studies using valtrex to treat psoriasis? Twice I have used valtrex (for cold sores) and I noticed my psoriasis cleared up both times.
Yvette
AskDocWeb: Sorry Yvette, we haven’t seen any studies involving Valtrex and psoriasis although others have reported this same effect.
Subj: I feel very down and not myself
Date: 5/21/2010
Hi I tested possitive for herps a couple months ago. I don’t know when I got it but I have an idea. I’ve been one of the lucky ones I’ve only had a couple outbreaks and they were very mild. But now I’m in a relationship and we desided that it was best that I got on valtrex. It’s been 7days on it and I feel very down and not myself. I’m also on antibiotics do you think the two medicines are not mixing well with my body?
Yvette
AskDocWeb: Sometimes the side effects listed by the manufacturer are confusing. For example, according to the patient information for Valtrex, depression is listed as one of the less serious side effects but mood changes are considered serious and should be immediately reported to your doctor.
Subj: Premenstrual spotting or discolored vaginal discharge?
Date: 5/23/2010
I have recently been taking valtrex once a day,500 mg. Does the medication cause spotting or dis-colored vaginal discharge?
Christine
AskDocWeb: Although menstrual problems are listed as one of possible side effects of Valtrex there are other possible causes. In some cases of genital herpes the lesions appear inside, on the cervix, rather than on the outside, which may cause perfuse vaginal discharge. Remember that it is also possible to have a completely unrelated urinary tract infection while taking valtrex. There are also diseases that are characterized by vaginal discharge such as Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis, and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.
Subj: Side effects of valtrex
Date: 5/27/2010
Had been very healthy until I contracted herpes and started taking valtrex. Now I have back stiffness and burning in the spinal cord. Hallucination, aggressive behavior, restless sleep. I have headaches and continual sore throat. Thought I had a brain tumor, heart attach, something but I didnt’ know what. Had every test come back negative. Dr. determined it was side effects of valtrex. I have cut down my dosage dramatically but symptoms continue. Sometimes I feel it’s hopeless but I keep trying to find tolerable balance with this drug but I think its caused so much damage that there is no chance of repair. I’m so tired of the dizziness and hallucinations and headaches. I know my friends think there is a huge change in my personality.
Jerica
Subj: Drug-resistant herpes?
Date: 5/28/2010
Question: Can long term use of Valtrex result in the devlopment of drug-resistant herpes? I have been on Valtrex for just about one year now, with amazing results. I, being in highschool used be be utterly crippled by cold sores; unable to date, go to parties, etc. Now I can do all of those things freely. My concern, though, is that over time, the virus in my body will, through simple natural selection, develop an immunity to the drug and begin flaring up again no matter how much of it I take. Is this possible?
Tom
AskDocWeb: While it is possible, the chances of that happening are very small. This is a concern for antibiotics but antivirals such as Valtrex work a little differently. An antibiotic works by killing the bacteria directly. Valtrex and other herpes medications don’t kill the virus. They work by inhibiting or blocking an enzyme that the virus needs to reproduce, which slows its growth. This allows your body’s natural immune system to better cope with the existing virus.
Subj: Fired because of a disease?
Date: 5/31/2010
I am new to this need help facing people. The people on my job knows about my sickness. They look at me funny and talk behind my back. Can they fire me off my job?
Betty
AskDocWeb: I believe that in most places in the USA you can’t be fired because of a disease unless it interferes with the performance of your job.
Subj: Urinalysis test?
Date: 6/14/2010
I have taken valtrex off and on for about 7 yrs. it has always done a good job for me with little in the way of side effects besides the normal fatigue. I was wondering if valtrex, taken regularly, would cause any problems with a urinalysis test / would it show up as either an unidentified substance or cause a positive test result for anything?
Grey
AskDocWeb: No, Valtrex has not been reported to cause any problems with urine drug tests.
Subj: Major back ache
Date: 6/15/2010
I am sixty-four years old and have had herpes since I was twenty-seven. I now use valtrex daily (one 500mg.) to surpress the herpes, because it comes quite frequently. My outbreaks do not cause bad sores, just minor irritations, however I have very severe low back pain which I believe is caused by the herpes and is very debilitating. If I stop taking the Valtrex to let an outbreak occur, the low back pain prevents me from working, so I am not able to take breaks in the supression regime. Sometimes the low back pain begins to happen even when I am taking one 500 mg valtrex per day, and I have to take two doses to supress it, which it does. I am concerned that at my age, I may be becoming resistent to the valtrex, or will not be able to take it. Do you have any suggestions for me? I had a low back injury when I was young which caused me a lot of discomfort, but this pain is different and responds to the valtrex, so I am pretty sure it is the herpes way of expressing itself. I feel like I am in a bind here, and will have to keep up the valtrex therapy daily. If I stop, I get only a small herpes sore, but a major back ache. Have you heard about anyone else with these symptoms? I don’t have any bad side effects from the valtrex, but I’m concerned about the need for daily therapy. Thank you.
Mary
AskDocWeb: Many people with genital herpes suffer from backaches and other flu-like symptoms. According to the Merck manual, “resistant HSV is rare and occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised patients.” In the unlikely event that your HSV becomes resistant there is another drug, Foscarnet, that may be an effective replacement.
Subj: Renal failure
Date: 6/15/2010
I had 2 acute renal failure attacks from dehydration after weeks of Valtrex as a treatment for Fibromyalgia and herpes. I vomited violently, went to ER for dehydration. Now my kidneys are damaged to some extent. Walgreens nor my nephrologist knew about acute renal failure from VALTREX.
Jeanne
AskDocWeb: The latest mention we found about renal failure with the use of Valtrex was in a March 22, 2010 publication from the FDA titled “Pediatric Focused Safety Review: Valacyclovir” (it’s a PDF file).
Subj: Hair thinning
Date: 6/15/2010
Is there any drug/vitamin to take to counteract the hair thinning from valtrex? Also, is valtrex safe to take with phentermine?
M
AskDocWeb: If hair loss (rare) becomes a problem you might try something like Nisim Biofactors, a shampoo that fights hair loss. Currently there are no drug interactions listed between Phentermine and Valtrex but you should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Subj: Unprotected sex
Date: 6/19/2010
My partner has genital herpes, I was tested negative through a blood test. However, my partner and I had unprotected sex and only realize the next morning that he had an outbreak(blisters that were wet. I have been experiencing burning and itching since then, should I use start the use to 500 mg valtrex over the counter from the pharmacy or go to the doctor?
Blondie
AskDocWeb: Valtrex is not sold over-the-counter. It is available by prescription only so you need to go to a doctor to get it. Read more feedback about Valtrex.
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