Valtrex suppression
Common Questions and Answers about Valtrex suppression
valtrex
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.
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?
If one were to take 500mg. of Valtrex 3x day would one be able to have safe sex / no worries about transmitting HSV 1 & 2 to their spouse who has neither? What about 4x? I don't want to hurt my liver. Thank you.
Hi I have been taking Valtrex 500 mg every day for suppression of HSV1 for about a month and a half now. I have been getting headaches in my temples a lot and honestly don't know if it is because of that. I also am on birth control and have been for the past three years but did just chance from ortho tri cyclen lo to regular ortho tri cyclen, about three months ago. Do you have any advice? I am in college and these headaches make it very hard to study. Thank you!
We have already agreed that condoms would be a part of a sexual relationship (should the relationship reach that point). He currently is not on any suppressive therapy and I read that Valtrex can reduce transmission chances by 75%, is that true?
Also, for those who have herpes, what do you think about me asking him to take Valtrex? Is there a positive way to go about asking? I do NOT want to hurt him in any way in bringing it up.
I get cold sores and was recently prescribed valtrex for outbreaks. Trouble is, it isn't always obvious that I'm going to have an outbreak. I'd rather be safe than sorry - but don't want to take valtrex too often if it isn't safe.
Would it be a problem if I took the one day 2,000 mg maybe twice per month when I thought an outbreak might be coming on?
Hi for suppression and valtrex per terri warren it would be 1000mg once a day for those who have 10 or more ob per year and 500 mg for those of 9 or fewer. So since 1000 = 1 gram that would be correct.
You could also talk to your doctor about recurrent ob doses which is 2 grams twice in one day, 12 hours apart. Its not necessary to take it more than one day for the greatest benifit.
If it was directly related to the valtrex it will stop within a week or two.
did you stop your suppressive therapy back in march when you first asked about this or has it been recently?
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.
If money is an issue for you (and who isn't it one for?), you can try acyclovir. It works just as well as valtrex, but you have to take it more often for suppression. If you don't have insurance, you can get a month's worth of suppression for about $30, give or take, in the US.
A lot of pharmacies also have savings programs you could sign up for. I just got 3 months of acyclovir for $21.98 on one of those programs.
just taking the antiviral drugs DURING outbreaks? How successful are antivirals at suppression of coldsores as opposed to say genital herpes?
This discussion is related to <a href="/posts/Herpes/Treatment-Options/show/1628458">Treatment Options</a>.
I've had hsv 2 for 7 years and have started suppression therapy on Valtrex for 6 months to prevent transmission to a new partner. It seems like i have way more outbreaks taking valtrex daily compared to in the past where i would take it just for an outbreak i would get maybe once a year. Has anyone else reported this? Should i stop taking it daily?
I will continue the Valtrex at 500mg per day, since that is the suppression dose and since I took 1000mg for I think 3 days worried it was an outbreak.
Thanks so much again. It really helps.
Also, I am an HSV2+ male and I am considering swab testing to determine my rate of viral shedding while using Valtrex for suppression therapy - how long do I need to undergo daily swabs to have an accurate view of the issue - 100 days? Is this overkill? (money is not an issue in this case, but having the data would be helpful in terms of peace of mind - it also seems like people shed at highly varying rates, making the study averages less personally meaningful) . . .
Currently, I take 500mg for suppression of genital herpes. I am wondering if while I am on this it would also prevent an oral herpes outbreak? I am not sure if I even get cold sores, however I often do get sores on the hard palate of my mouth and I wonder if they could be herpes, since they usually occur in the same location. Thank you.
It went away in a few days, and she asked the doctor to go on preventive viral (valtrex) and the doctor gave her 500mg 1 times a day - valacyclovir. NOW (JULY 2) she says she thinks she has it again, she has a rash and it hurts. Can HSV1 occur this often?? Could it be something else causing the rash?? Thank you.
I suffered with a lot of outbreaks (mostly on buttocks and thighs…have only had 1-2 genital OB’s that I am aware of) until I went on suppression therapy several years ago. I take 1 gram of Valtrex daily for suppression and have for several years.
Fast forward to now and I am in a new relationship with a coworker. I am extremely worried about him contracting it from me (we have not had sex yet but plan to in a few weeks when we take a trip together).
I have had only one outbreak, lasting 2 days since beginning the Valtrex. I called the makers of Valtrex to see if there were any studies done on effects of taking the drug longer than one year or if they had any data as to whether taking it for one year and then stopping it, seemed to lessen a person's outbreaks for a period of time. They would not give me any information, stating only that the only data they have ends at one year. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Are you sure you have hsv2 on your face? I know you said it was confirmed by swab, but was it typed? You could have hsv2 on your thigh (which is genital herpes), and hsv1 on your face. I say this because if you had it for 10 or so years before getting it on your face, you'd have antibodies that would make it next to impossible for you to get hsv2 anywhere else on your body.
In any case, the type doesn't matter so much with Valtrex.
Husband has had HSV-2 for 14 years. He has taken Valtrex for suppression and outbreak treatments during our 7 yr. marriage. We also use condoms consistently. Recently he had direct hand-genital contact (stratching he thought was jock itch), next day had a genital outbreak and about 2-3 days later massive outbreak on both hands and little on his feet.
Have been on acyclovir for a couple of years and my hair has gotten extremely thin on the sides and top. So depressing as this works for suppression. now I read that this seems to be more common aide effect than manufacture is aware of. Have read that valtrex also has the same side effect. how about Famvir? This is soo depressing and is the hair loss permanent?
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