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4.0 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

33 People found this comment helpful

Took valacyclovir oral within 2-3 days from shingles outbreak. Been on med for three days. Worked well with outbreak but side effects very disturbing: headache, constipation, stomach pain, tiredness, light headedness. Will report back to doctor for direction.

Most voted negative review

6 People found this comment helpful

I have been on this for only 2 days, I have not seen an improvement yet. The only side effects that I have experienced is dry eyes. I wear contacts and they feel very uncomfortable. I have been drinking 8oz of water before taking the pill and eating half of my meal, then take the pill, drink more water and then finish my meal. So far no nausea and I get nauseous very easy. I have noticed a bi...

Shared reviews and ratings

Bobbie | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
2/7/2024
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had the worst experience with this medicine. I was supposed to take it for 7 days, but after the first 2 (huge) pills I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme anxiety, confusion, high heart rate, headache, nausea, I felt high blood pressure …it seemed to be in a lucid nightmare, such a horrible feeling. The morning after I felt like hungover, fatigued, couldn’t stand for long without feeling dizzy. I reported it to my doctor and she told me to stop taking that medicine immediately. I still had side effects for 2-3 after stopping it. Never had a reaction to any medicine before…will never take it again!Read More Read Less

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Natasha w | 25-34 | Female | Patient
1/31/2024
Condition: Prevent Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Mostly gas and stomach discomfort and slight nausea but nothing can't handle the side effects aren't bad or severe for me however it was highly needed medically for me so

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Joan | 75 or over | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/17/2023
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was diagnosed with shingles & prescribed Valacyclovir. After 4 doses I was confused, off balance, depressed, couldn't concentrate on anything & eded up in the ER by ambulance. The side effects are TERRIBLE. They say it takes 96 hours to get out of your system so I have an another 48 to go. I pray I get back to normal & will never take another antiviral drug!

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/5/2023
Condition: Cold Sore
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I get these yucky cold sores every time I get sick or highly stressed out. This time I thought it would pass but I woke up to my entire top lip swollen up huge, and covered in blisters. My doctor gave me this as a 2 day dosage at 1mg and it’s the second night and swelling has decreased quite a bit. I’m still swollen but not as bad and it’s starting to scab over. It’s still tingly and I won’t leave the house without a face mask but overall, the pain is down a lot and it seems to be improving way more than when I first went into the office. It still kinda hurts a little so I’ve paired it with ibuprofen 800’s to help combat it. Wish there was something stronger I could take that would make this go away faster and stop recurring. It’s always in the same spots. Read More Read Less

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joe | 45-54 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month |
10/28/2023
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had pain in upper left abdomen for 2 days before the rash appeared. I had it checked 2 days later when the rash started to sting and started 1000mg 3x per day. I'm just over 200lbs and otherwise healthy. The next day I could barely get out of bed and had a fever that broke in the evening. On the 2nd day the blisters started to appear and I was still very tired with periodic sweats. It's now the 4th day on medicine and the large blisters are starting to scab. I can't tell if the medicine has done anything but make me feel tired. I'm drinking a lot of water/tea/gatorade to stay hydrated.Read More Read Less

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oldvet | 75 or over | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
10/1/2023
Condition: Genital Herpes
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

At age 63, and after 36 years of totally monogamous marriage, I had a painful outbreak of genital herpes. I was shocked and in disbelief, but doctor said that it can remain dormant your entire life. Some people that have it will never know unless they get tested because they never have an outbreak. Started Valacyclovir 500mg daily and at 77 I have not experienced any issues sine that first and only episode 14 years ago, and have not had any of the reported side effects. I will continue daily use forever. But if they can get aids down to an undetectable and untransmittable level, why not herpes?Read More Read Less

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Sailingthru | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/20/2023
Condition: Recurrent Genital Herpes
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Have HSV2 for 10 years. Was on Acyclovir for that period of time. Horrible outbreak this year only on my butt. Go figure. Doctor prescribed 1000mg Valcyclovir 2x a day for supression for 2 weeks. Tremendous help for pain and stopped additional spreading of lesions. Have to continue 1000mg 1x a day forever. Side effects: Slight diarrhea everyday. Tiredness. Nightmares when I can sleep. Trouble sleeping through the night; waking up frequently. But no more breakouts, no more pain. I call this my wonder drug. Read More Read Less

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Mary | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month |
8/5/2023
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After being treated with antibiotics, steroids & thrush med, my ear pain & mouth sores on only my right side … was diagnosed correctly as shingles outbreak, so I was 2 1/2 weeks in before getting this med, I was totally miserable & in pain, got a steroid shot & pills too, this was yesterday, I took 2 1000mg to start to load up as I was told & by this morning All my mouth sore are down & ear pain way less ,,, only side from this med for me is a bad headache all day but gone now,, works for me. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 75 or over | Male | Patient
7/31/2023
Condition: Genital Herpes
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Taken for years, no side effects.

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J | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/31/2023
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I’ve been on this a little over a week now, i haven’t really had all the side effects as some. I do have dry eyes and I’m always tired and a little shaky when standing for too long

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Diamond Girl | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/24/2023
Condition: Suppression of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection in HIV
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on this medication for four days now. On day three I started to experience server stomach pains and on day four my dizziness has begun. I did see signs of my blisters going down but I did have another area in the same area start to form blisters.

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Anonymous | Patient
3/14/2023
Condition: Cold Sore
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I swear to god not even 24 hour the cold sore disappeared

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unicorn magic | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/20/2023
Condition: Genital Herpes
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I've been on this medication for a few weeks. The infection went away in about 2/3 days but I was requested to take it daily for preventative care so that I don't infect my partner. I suffer from diarrhea, light sensitivity, headaches, and now on week 3 I feel depressed. I have never been diagnosed with depression or carried the symptoms. I was once full of energy and now I don't want to do anything and I feel like I haven't slept in days when I have been sleeping all through the night. I'm miserable but also want to protect my partner. I wish there was another way. Read More Read Less

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Patricia | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/24/2022
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was diagnosed with Shingles on a Thursday. My symptoms showed up Tuesday and luckily I was seen right away by my doctor. The day I began using this anti viral, I was horrified at all the terrible side effects experienced on this site. I still forged ahead with my treatment. I am on day 3 and I must say the treatment has been entirely effective. My headache is gone, my fever is gone. No new outbreaks so far. (cross fingers). My rash is healing. My energy is returning as I was feeling very tired and fatigued at the onset. I highly recommend this treatment. I was able to start Valtrex fairly soon after my symptoms. My guess was about within 48--60 hours.That probably has something to do with it. Read More Read Less

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Carrie H. | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
12/7/2022
Condition: Cold Sore
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have dealt with embarrassing cold sores since childhood. My doctor prescribed me this medicine a few years ago and as long as I keep it on hand and take it as soon as I first feel the tingling of the dreaded coldsore, 9 times out of 10 it goes right away.......if it is a bad one it will sometimes hang around but not NEAR as bad or as ugly!!!! I just can't say enough about how much I love that I have been connected with this medication.... Such a life saver when it comes to those embarrassing buggers!! Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/17/2022
Condition: Prevent Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Give me terrible headaches. I feel so much pressure on the sides of my head and in the back of my skull. Also makes me dizzy and feeling off. I don’t know how much longer I will be taking this the side effects really are awful

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Poetic grace | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
9/28/2022
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I developed a shingles rash. Went to the doctor and received this medication. After one day my left eye swelled shut. Doctor recommended that I double the dose. After 2 times taking the double dosage I ended up in the ER. I could not form thoughts or speak and could barely walk. I found out after my horrible allergic experience with this medication that my symptoms were a rare side effect. This side effect isn’t even listed on the side effect descriptions of this medication.

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Jane | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
9/19/2022
Condition: Recurrent Genital Herpes
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I find that if my stress level increases over something (like life itself, lol) it brings on a breakout. So I have taken it at the onset of a break out and I have taken it every day as a preventive. It works. I opt to buy the brand and not the generic. It still takes times for the blisters to heal, but it is quicker to heal, than without the medication.

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Momof6 | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
9/11/2022
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had left head tinglingling and left headache for 5 days before noticine 2 bumps at lefthairline. Day six my left forehead was 10 bumps. Diagnosed that evening with shingles. Started Valcyclovir at 10p that night. Saw opthomologist day 10, as left eye almost shut with swelling. Luckily, no ocular involvement. Started prednisone for inflammation day 10. Most of the side effects from antivirals are same as symptoms of shingles, headache, dizziness, tiredness, nausea. I am day 12 and the "rash" has has gone from individual bumps to large "patch". Unfortunately, my whole left scalp is covered. I no longer have the burning or bee sting sensation, but i look like a leper. Bangs cober forehead, wore sunglasses IN THE STORE, to grab essential groceries. Also caladryl has helped to dry up the facial blisters. I jyst think i started treatment too late, as i didnt know the precurser symptoms of tingling and headache. I am 58yo.Read More Read Less

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Linda Hoffmann | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/27/2022
Condition: Shingles
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was prescribed the generic of Valtrex by my doctor for shingles, on day five in the middle the night I had really bad hallucinations I had altered mental status my husband and my daughter took me to the hospital I had renal failure, I was in the hospital for six days I just got home today. This is a medication for herpes, is shingles a form of herpes?

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