Feedback on Valtrex Side Effect and Usage, page 6
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 side effects
Date: 8/2/2005
I have been initially diagnosed with ‘blind shingles’ in my head. I recently had blood tests and I am perfectly normal. My symptoms are: stabbing pains throughout the back, sides and top of my head; low-grade fever (99 – 100.5). My doctor prescribed Valtrex to help curb the shingles. I have been on the drug for 3 days with a duration of 7 days of dosage. I have found, however, that approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours after taking the drug (not always, but most of the time), the symptoms spike (terrible head pain, high fever, chills, runs}. The only thing that helps relieve this is time and a regular dosage of extra strength tylenol. In addition, my appetite has dwindled. I am wondering if I should continue with drug? Sincerely,
Dave
AskDocWeb: Since you have been on the drug for three days and these symptoms have not gone away, it’s time to report these side effects to your doctor.
Subj: Mother with shingles
Date: 8/3/2005
I have a couple of questions. I was diagnosed with shingles. I have a daughter who is 1 year old. She hasn’t had a chicken pox shot. Should I avoid any contact with her? Also I have had blisters on my back for almost a week and a half– Shouldn’t they of popped by now? Does a cold wet compress help? Are my pillows safe for others to use? Thank you.
Krissie
AskDocWeb: The blisters form crusts that generally fall off within 3 weeks. Be careful to avoid a staph infection by frequent cleansing, be very hygienic. Make sure your daughter doesn’t have any contact with any of the fluid or the blisters. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before picking her up or changing her diaper. The contagious stage will pass after 3 weeks. If someone else is available to do the baby’s bathing or diaper changing, it would be best to have them do that for you in the meantime.
Subj: More frequent outbreaks?
8/23/2005
Haven’t seen much out there on the web about this…I have suffered from cold sores since a teenager (late 20’s now). I recently received a prescription for Valtrex (1 gram 2x daily) to take at the onset of an outbreak. Works great…but I have noticed outbreaks occurring more frequently now since I have started the medication. Normally I get about 3-4 a year, since February I have had 8 outbreaks alone. Is this unusual? Could the medication be causing smaller, more frequent outbreaks instead of larger, less frequent occurrences?
Mark
AskDocWeb: It does makes you wonder, doesn’t it? We would like to hear from anyone else who has experienced an increase in the number of outbreaks after starting Valtrex.
Subj: Valtrex and nursing
8/27/2005
I am pregnant and it was okayed by my doctor to take my valtrex only when I feel a cold sore coming on…not on a regular daily basis like I was before, but I was wondering why its considered harmful to take when breastfeeding. What possible harm could it do to my baby? Is it known what the side effects on the baby would be?
Gina
AskDocWeb: The drug would be passed on to the baby while nursing but the side effects are not known. Your doctor is probably assuming that you will only have one or two outbreaks while pregnant and that it is safe for you take it that way.
Subj: Overdose?
8/31/2005
I mistakenly took an extra dosage of Valtex yesterday, will this cause any problems. I took a total of 3 500mg pills.
Donna
AskDocWeb: This should not be a problem, you are okay.
Subj: Valtrex
9/1/2005
Hi. This is a guy from India. Can you tell me if this Valtex sleeping pills are consumed more and excessive than prescribed, are they going to be fatal?
Anonymous
AskDocWeb: Valtrex is for herpes. It is not a sleeping pill. Taking too much will just cause you to vomit.
Subj: Valtrex and alcohol
Date: 9/7/2005
Can I drink Alcohol while taking VALTREX?
Nikita
AskDocWeb: Yes.
Subj: Valtrex and mononucleosis?
Date: 9/11/2005
I took Valtrex a few weeks ago to cure a severe case of mononucleosis. I’m already thirteen days late on my menstrual cycle and was wondering if this was common when having taken Valtrex?
Amanda
AskDocWeb: Bad news; Valtrex doesn’t cure mono and it will not change your mensis. Sounds like you should have a pregnancy test done to make sure you’re not pregnant.
Subj: Rash on 8 year old girl
Date: 9/14/2005
My daughter, age 8, suffers from frequent fever blisters. Her M.D. put her on Valtrex 1 gram every 12 hours times one day when she feels an outbreak starting. She started Valtrex for the first time last week, and five days later experienced a rash on her trunk and upper extremities? The rash lasted for only twelve hours and was relieved with Benadryl. The pharmacist and her M.D. have said that a skin reaction to this medicine is not likely. Has anyone ever had this?? And what should I do?? Thanks,
DJ
AskDocWeb: It sounds like you handled it well. A rash is listed as one of the side effect of Valtrex (8% of users) but there could also be another cause for this. A rash can have a wide range of possible causes, from new foods in her diet to emotional problems to exposure to new laundry chemicals.
Subj: Genital herpes
Date: 9/18/2005
I just found out I have genital herpes. My doctor put me on valtrex, and I am feeling better since I started the treatment. I have noticed that when I don’t eat something before I take the medicine it makes me sick to my stomach. Also my skin seems to be extra sensitive. But the valtrex seems to be clearing the outbreak, so I am going to continue to take it.
GL
AskDocWeb: Be sure to advise your doctor about your skin sensitivity to Valtrex. You wouldn’t want your sensitivity to become worse.
Subj: Valtrex pain
Date: 9/18/2005
Recently diagnosed with HSV2. Horrified. Taking Valtrex and am having some pain at the bottom of my spine and tingling in my legs and feet that occasionally turns to downright pain. This pain and tingling started after I started taking Valtrex. I wanted to share my experience with others having the same symptoms. These side affects are not listed but may need further research.
JR
Subj: Terrible side effects
Date: 9/19/2005
I have been taking valtrex for about one month and the side effects are terrible. I have constant tingling in my legs and feet and unbearable burning and itching in both my vagina and anus. I can’t sleep through the night due to the extreme discomfort. In addition to being sleep deprived and uncomfortable all the time, I find that I am emotional and irrational. Is there an alternative to valtrex that will have fewer side effects?
C
AskDocWeb: Please speak to your physician about these serious side effects. Extreme discomfort is not something anyone should go through no matter if your physician prescribed it or not. Without knowing why you are taking Valtrex we are unable to suggest an alternative.
Subj: Valtrex and hair thinning?
Date: 9/20/2005
I have been taking valtrex on a daily basis for the past 6 months. I noticed that my hair is thinning. Is this a side affect of taking this medication?
Confused
AskDocWeb: Yes, hair loss is a listed side effect of Valtrex.
Subj: Erectile dysfunction
Date: 9/21/2005
I have been taking valtrex just for good heath and Now when I have sex it seems as if I lose my, excuse my wording, hard during sex. Is this a possible side effect? It is really bothering me and I have never had this problem in my life before. I am a 35 year old man with a huge libido and no all of a sudden I don’t know what is going on. Please help. This is no joke but very serious to me. Thanks in advance.
Loki
AskDocWeb: This isn’t a listed side effect of Valtrex. Erectile dysfunction happens for many reasons. We suggest you get a physical to rule out physical problems, especially if you no longer experience morning erections. If you still wake up with some “hardness” there is less chance of a physical problem but you should still get checked out.
Subj: Valtrex alternatives
Date: 9/30/2005
Well I just took valtrex for the first time a few days ago and I did notice sores in my mouth right away. Actually, cold sores showed up, too – after taking it for genital outbreak. I feel like it’s stressing my liver and I also noticed heart palpitations. I got scared I was going to have a stroke from this chemical garbage a couple of times because of a severe pain in my head…now – since it’s not a cure, I’m wondering if there really are benefits to this. I’m going for a regimen of l-lysine and garlic, myself – this is scaring me.
Anti
AskDocWeb: We have heard about others using lysine and garlic and doing well with it for cold sores. However, there are some health concerns with using garlic.
Subj: Valtrex and alcohol
Date: 10/3/2005
I’m currently on valtrex for shingles, and I was wondering if it was a big health issue for me, if I consumed some alcohol while I’m taking this medication. And I don’t mean getting totally wasted.
John
AskDocWeb: No, there are no listed problems (Physicians’ Desk Reference, 2005) with drinking alcohol while taking Valtrex. But for those who get “wasted” the listed adverse reactions of nausea, headache, vomiting, and dizziness could be made worse.
Subj: Propecia with Valtrex?
Date: 10/11/2005
Is it safe to take Propecia and Valtrex at the same time?
Carlos
AskDocWeb: Yes it is. Read more feedback about Valtrex. Valtrex report – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – Page 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – Last Page 64
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