Difference between valtrex and valacyclovir

Common Questions and Answers about Difference between valtrex and valacyclovir

valtrex

Avatar f tn Welcome to the STD forum. MedHelp encourages forum moderators to avoid overt disagreement with questioners' own doctors. However, I'm afraid your doctor is mistaken. Valacyclovir (Valtrex) does not cause significant liver damage. In fact, it is one of the most nontoxic drugs there is; many patients have taken it for several years without difficulty. Of course any drug can cause very rare or atypical toxicity. Acyclovir (Zovirax) and famciclovir (Famvir) are similarly nontoxic.
Avatar m tn Anyway, With 2000mg a day of Valacyclovir rushing through my system I have no soares. But have some nerve pain and burning and sourness throughout one side of my private parts, and down my inner leg. The leg area is brand new for me. The other area is not, but never has it continued so long (with or without medication) as it has now. For most of my life I got Valtrex from a long time on and off again girl friend. We believe we contracted it together.
Avatar f tn I have been on valtrex for suppression of hsv 2 for 16yrs and continue to have outbreaks almost monthly. Sores in vaginal area are less noticeable but other symptoms such as fatigue, headache, swollen glands, back pain still persist. My husband and I both have an outbreak every time we have sex which is ruining our sex life. Long term effects of valtrex use is unknown outside of possible renal/liver imparement & I'm just not sure if I should continue taking it.
Avatar m tn Valtrex is the dominant brand name, valacylcovir the generic name. Do not take both; it would be an overdose. (Probably not harmful, but not recommended.) You get maximum effectiveness against oral herpes with the 2 g (2000 mg) dose taken twice a day apart; higher, more frequent, or more prolonged treatment will make no difference. 2) You are typical in not having an identifed trigger of your outbreaks. Most people cannot pinpoint particular events.
Avatar f tn I talk valacyclovir for herpes out breaks I have a high dosage one for when I get them it doesn't harm the baby. Though this is my first pregnancy and I'm 7 weeks. They told me once I get closer to my due date to take them daily so there is no break out.
Avatar n tn My story is I contracted HSV2 on the back of my left thigh in the late 1990's not sure where, but it breakout once a year during summer months one time a year. While it was annoying I didn't take anything during the late 2000's I somehow transferred it to my face (confirmed by swab). I didn't want it there so I started to take Valacyclovir it would keep breaking out every month or so I went on a daily maintenance of 500mg a day.
Avatar n tn I have read that Valtrex and Valacyclovir can be used for the suppression of herpes , does that hold true for Valcivir also,, isn't Valacyclovir the generic of Valciver ,, if yes what is the usual dosage for the suppression of the virus?
Avatar m tn On the day of the test, I had just got done taking the Valacyclovir for 5 days(that I got online and took on my second, third and fourth outbreak symtoms in April May and July). I had not stopped taking the l-lysine for the whole period as a precaution and to reduce symptoms/outbreaks although its not proven.
Avatar f tn yes and no. Valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug. what that means if you swallow valtrex and your body changes it into acyclovir inside your body. Because of that unique delivery method, you get more active acyclovir available to fight the herpes virus when it's active so you take it less often. The main difference in the two of them is convenience and of course price.
Avatar n tn I asked my PCP regarding the Valtrex and he informed that if I had indeed caught HSV-2 that this would lessen the morbidity of the initial outbreak. That was his reasoning. I am a worrier/paranoid person so it is easy for me to let an experience like this blow out of proportion. Thanks again and hope all is well.
Avatar f tn Initial gential herpes symptoms rarely if ever more than 2-3 weeks, especially when taking valacyclovir (Valtrex). It is very rare for herpes to not respond to valacyclovir. I wonder whether you now have a yeast infection, which can follow herpes (or any other genital area inflammation. Lysine is ineffective against herpes -- an urban myth, and some experts would call it quackery.
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 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 f tn Famvir and famciclovir are the same thing, as are Valtrex and Valacyclovir. One is the brand name, one is the generic. I'd stay on the valacyclovir. The last thing you need right now is another outbreak, and stopping antivirals can trigger an ob. I can't advise you on the amiltriptiline. If it's not working, maybe you shouldn't continue it, but PLEASE talk to your doctor before stopping it.
Avatar m tn the problem is, his symptoms keep disappearring and reoccurring, despite taking a very high amount of Valtrex (1-2 grams twice daily while having symptoms) and even a maintenance dose in between (1 gram daily). This last time, he had prostatitis in addition, which I read can also be a secondary infection with Herpes. He saw his urologist for that and was put on antibiotics which seemed to work. he hasn't been officially diagnosed yet for HSV2 because he never had sores present.
Avatar n tn Your thoughts on lifetime Valtrex 500mg daily? And my risks of Asymptomatic/ symptomatic shedding with Genital HSV 1 and Valtrex? And if no visible sores are shown, I am taking Valtrex and I do wear a condom, chances of passing it onto partners? Lastly, in your professional opinion, your estimation of when if there will ever be a cure for Genital HSV 1 and if so, when? P.S. Do you know of any studies where I can sign up to be a "lab rat" and have upcoming HVS cures tested on me?
Avatar f tn only problem it that it elevated my liver enzymes which is not a good thing. Doctor told me to stop taking Valtrex and only take it if I absolutely need it, ie wedding, meeting, ect.
Avatar n tn I am a 52 yr. old female and have CM's and have had a mild stroke from a CM. It's good that you went to the ER and they treated you like a stroke victim, I believe they did the right thing at the hospital in treating you. It's hard to tell the difference between a CM and stroke. They can have the same symptoms. I do not smoke, have never been on Valtrex and have had a tubal. Don't know how shingles would come into play, that would be for a dr. to say.
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 m tn With the rising frequency of oral sex, in the past 20 years about half of all initial infections are due to HSV-1. And there is no difference in severity between initial infections with HSV-1 or 2. The distinction is important. Genital HSV-1 recurs much less frequenly and has a lot less asymptomatic shedding than HSV-2, with markedly lower potential for sexual transmission.