Acyclovir and valtrex

Common Questions and Answers about Acyclovir and valtrex

famvir

Avatar m tn acyclovir is 400mg 2x/day every single day. she will still get recurrences while on daily suppressive therapy regardless of if she's on acyclovir or valtrex, you just take acyclovir more often than you do valtrex.
Avatar m tn If I stop it for a week do I wait to see if symptoms persist? If not begin again, or ask my doctor for an alternative? If so what should I be asking for and are they as effective as Valtrex? Thank you.
Avatar m tn Valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug. Greatly simplified - you swallow valtrex and your body converts it into acyclovir inside the body. You get more active acyclovir available to kick a little herpes butt by doing it this way. That's why you take valtrex less often. We don't have studies to confirm that acyclovir reduces transmission the same amount as valtrex does but we assume it does. http://racoon.com/herpes/v_a_compare.
Avatar m tn I was taking 1000mg Valtrex at onset and then 500mg twice a day and everything was clear in 3 days. To get the same effectiveness from Acyclovir how much should I be taking daily during out breaks? I have tried 600mg Acyc 3 times a day but it takes 7 days to clear up. Please advise.
Avatar m tn d try acyclovir suppressively instead of the valtrex and see if that works better for you. Even though valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug, some folks just do better on the acyclovir than they do the valtrex. My guess would be because you get less active acyclovir in your body with plain ole acyclovir than you do valtrex but we have no studies to back this assumption.
Avatar n tn developing weird lesions and bumps few days and weeks after starting acyclovir and it is now more than two months and lesions come and go everywhere in my body, although I have took acyclovir only for 10 days in October. Unlike you, I was never diagnosed with herpes; indeed i was just taking acyclovir hoping to inhibit a potential risk exposure that i was not sure about. My anti herpes antibodies came back all negative last week (both IgG and IgM).
Avatar m tn I have taking both Valtrex & Acyclovir in the past and for me, Valtrex seems to work a lot better for clearing up an ob quicker. Since moving back to the U.S. from Europe, I cannot believe how expensive Valtrex is here in the U.S.! I just want to get confirmation that there is a Generic Valtrex that is NOT Acyclovir - it that correct? My online pharmacy is offering me Valcyclovir which is a lot cheaper than Valtrex but I just want to make sure it isn't Acyclovir before I purchase it.
Avatar f tn acyclovir is 400mg 2x/day. is what what you are taking? correct, valtrex is the only drug studied for reduction in transmission to a partner. acyclovir reduces shedding at the same rate , you just have to take it more often. once daily valtrex is just more convenient, it's not better.
Avatar n tn Of course that is correct waring :) Because there is more absorption of the active acyclovir from taking valtrex you only have to take it once a day. If you consult the valtrex prescribing info you'll see it compared to acyclovir in the one table and shows that they are comparable. All herpes antivirals have to prove that they work just as well as acyclovir to get approval.
Avatar f tn Is there any other treatment for recurrent herpes besides acyclovir and valtrex? I have never taken valtrex but have read that they are the same thing. I feel so bloated, tired and dizzy while on acyclovir. My dr said we could try valtrex...but if it's the same, what's the point? Any other people with similar side effects that found solutions?
Avatar f tn does valtrex have any effect on the hiv window period seeing that study finds that valtrex lowers hiv viral load http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=jl-11-04 Also,would taking valtrex shortly after exsposure to hiv delay hiv window period like pep does . I don't understand how it could not .
Avatar f tn However, it is well documented that valtrex and acyclovir perform very similarly. Valtrex is actually converted into acyclovir by the liver, so essentially, the two drugs act the same way in the body to suppress the virus. If acyclovir improves your quality of life, I would stick with it and explain the similarities to your partner - they are well documented and I expect you can find information in scholarly journals that supports the suppressive activity of acyclovir.
Avatar n tn My girlfriend was just given a prescription for Valtrex, however, even with insurance it is $75 a month. So, her doctor gave her another option in acyclovir, which was only $15 and had to be taken twice a day as opposed to one a day with the valtrex. Is there any real significant benefit to taking the Valtrex that would warrant paying the additional costs? Please let me know, so we can switch if necessary.
Avatar m tn I was on Valtrex 500mg 1x/day for almost 2 years and never had an outbreak. I wanted to stop taking it all together to see what would happen. I had about 6 outbreaks in 1.5 years. I went to a new doc and today she said I need to go on suppressive therapy with acyclovir 800mg 1x/day. She said this is the new standard protocol (or something to that effect). I'm seeing where it says acyclovir 400mg 2x/day. My questions are: 1. has anyone heard of 800mg 1x/day is the standard? 2.
Avatar m tn I was on valtrex but do to the cost switched to acyclovir. The period of time I was on 1000mg of valtrex I never had a breakout. I get them on my hip normally when I am about to menstruate. It has been about 2 months since the switch to 1xday 800mg acyclovir and I have experienced an outbreak. I don't understand why since they are the same drug?
Avatar f tn valtrex and acyclovir have the same basic side effects. Valtrex is turned into acyclovir inside the body.
Avatar m tn There are 3 antiviral meds for herpes: acyclovir (generic) also known as Zovirax Valtrex (valacyclovir) famciclovir (generic) also known as Famvir Any informed opinions. I know acyclovir is the oldest and I saw some impressive statistics on it's suppression abilities. Obviously the two generic drugs will be much less expensive than Valtrex.
Avatar n tn When you take a 500mg valtrex tablet - you get about 55% of active acyclovir that actually survives the digestive process and is available to circulate thru your body and kick a little herpes butt when it finds it ( valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug which means you swallow valtrex but the body turns it into acyclovir ).
Avatar f tn I currently take Valtrex for cold sore outbreaks, 2 pills at first sign, then 2 pills 12 hours later. Right now I'm traveling overseas and feel an outbreak coming on. Unfortunately, I only have 2 Valtrex pills left, and I'm having a hard time reaching my doctor back home to renew this prescription (there are no refills left on this one.) I did take the first dose of Valtrex, thinking I had 12 hours to reach my dr and have the rx called in, however I haven't been able to reach him.
Avatar f tn herpes doesn't "never go away" . even though you have hsv2, that doesn't mean that everything going on genitally is due to herpes. following up with the dermatologist if your gyn is stumped is a good idea. Many skin sensitivities that can occur and having the 2 of them work together, is often very helpful. Have you ever googled vulvodynia? how were you diagnosed as having hsv2? did you have a lesion culture done?
Avatar m tn are you taking valtrex or acyclovir? Are you taking acyclovir 400mg 2x/day or just 800mg once a day?
Avatar f tn If you are taking antiviral medicines, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, or valacyclovir (Valtrex) if can interfere with Herpes testing. This is primarily true in recent infections. The use of those medications can extend (but not prevent) seroconversion (the amount of time it takes your body to develop antibodies).
Avatar m tn I have had the virus for a LONG time, and through the Valtrex and knowing my body well...I have not given it to any of my partners (Fist Pumping YES!). I don't want money to be the reason this changes. Please advice.