Aa
Valtrex vs Acyclovir for herpes suppression?
I went in today to see my doctor and she suggested that rather than be on Acyclovir (as I have been: 400mg 5x per day with an awareness that this is a high dosage and we will be decreasing it)to suppress my herpes simplex 2 and associated unexplained sexual sensitivity loss, that I should go on Valtrex as it is “a better drug”. Its also a vastly more expensive drug. I get Acyclovir for like $10 a month.
Is the quality of Valtrex in terms of it being a suppressive drug worth the difference in price over Acyclovir? I don’t mind taking Acyclovir throughout the day if it means have enough money to pay for rent, food, clothing etc.
I hope to hear back, and thanks in advance.
Greg
Is the quality of Valtrex in terms of it being a suppressive drug worth the difference in price over Acyclovir? I don’t mind taking Acyclovir throughout the day if it means have enough money to pay for rent, food, clothing etc.
I hope to hear back, and thanks in advance.
Greg
until a month ago when I moved and lost my wallet and was homeless and lost all my meds. I had to start spacing my doses out every other day the it was like maybe 1 400 mg every 3 to 5 days. Then went to nothing for two weeks about a month ago. Guess what had two out breaks in a month finally got back on my meda so it helped suppress the virus. I will for sure be staying on 400mg 2x or 3x a day for now on cause it has proved to be effective to fully suppress the virus. As long as it is taken daily ! I've had no side effects btw.
I do have a question. My last out break was 8 days ago cause I was not taking my meds as I should of. But I did and doubled up as soon as I had the out break. 6 days later the scabs fell off then a day later it was just pink skin. I HAD INTERCOURSE WITH MY FIANCE TODAY, AGAIN IT WAS JUST PINK NO SCABS AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY TAKING MY MEDS AS SOON AS I HAD RHE OUT BREAK.DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE VIRUS WOULD BE AT VERY LOW RISK OF TRANSMISSION AT THIS POINT AND WHILE BEING ON SUPPRESSIVE MEDS,AGAIN THE SCABS FELL OF AND IT WAS JUST PINK SKIN NOT BLOODY JUST SKIN..PLEASE NEED ANWSER!!!
I do have a question. My last out break was 8 days ago cause I was not taking my meds as I should of. But I did and doubled up as soon as I had the out break. 6 days later the scabs fell off then a day later it was just pink skin. I HAD INTERCOURSE WITH MY FIANCE TODAY, AGAIN IT WAS JUST PINK NO SCABS AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY TAKING MY MEDS AS SOON AS I HAD RHE OUT BREAK.DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE VIRUS WOULD BE AT VERY LOW RISK OF TRANSMISSION AT THIS POINT AND WHILE BEING ON SUPPRESSIVE MEDS,AGAIN THE SCABS FELL OF AND IT WAS JUST PINK SKIN NOT BLOODY JUST SKIN..PLEASE NEED ANWSER!!!
1 Comments
I want to reiterate that I have been out bre free for over a year with the same std free partner . I took 3× 400 mg every day for a year and I was outbreak free the entire time. A month ago I lost my meds and was barely taken it and had two out breaks that month. The last out break I immediately double dosed on my acyclovir. On the 4th or 5th day it was completely scabbed over the sixth it the scabs were gone and just left with pink skin.on the 7th day I had intercourse but the scabs and everything where gone completely on ther own. Is the pink skin that looked ,could that be contagious.
I just got herpes two and am worried about transferring it to other parts of my body due to having a little one in my life. How have you dealt with that? Have you ever transferred it unintentionally??:(
DO NOT COMBINE acyclovir with valtrex. the risk of brain damage is too great and there is no benefit from this medication
Dear Dr grace, I need any scientific paper that support your words that both acyclovir and valcyclovir are the same effects, please if you have anything regarding this concern send it to me ASAP... I need it.
Thank you
Thank you
I've got herpes Whitlow on my thumb. I work in a hospital and think I picked it up there. I can't imagine where else. No one in my household has it. It's very unpleasant when I have an outbreak with it spreading up my arm if I do not take antivirals. I am on Valacyclovir 500 mg once a day for supression, but when I have an outbreak (yes, supression does no always guarantee no outbreaks) I take 500 mg twice a day for three days, then go back to 500 mg a day.
What we all read about foods causing an outbreak are interesting. Some say Peanut butter. What's interesting is that I eat Peanut Butter, no issues. However, if peanut butter gets on my Thumb, guess what, GUARANTEED outbreak! And FAST. Like within a few hours.
What's vital to remember, antivirals do not "Kill" virus. They slow down the replication of them. That gives your immune system more time to mount an attack. Only your immune system can attack virus. So many patients think that Antivirals kill virus. They only aid in slowing viral replication.
As mentioned, Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is a Pro Drug and has an extra molecule in it that, in laymans terms, provided your body with the task of converting it into acyclovir. Less is flushed out quickly and thus more antiviral drug is available to slow viral replication.
I've tried both over the years, and Valacyclovir is more effective during an outbreak, in my body. Your mileage may vary. ;)
What we all read about foods causing an outbreak are interesting. Some say Peanut butter. What's interesting is that I eat Peanut Butter, no issues. However, if peanut butter gets on my Thumb, guess what, GUARANTEED outbreak! And FAST. Like within a few hours.
What's vital to remember, antivirals do not "Kill" virus. They slow down the replication of them. That gives your immune system more time to mount an attack. Only your immune system can attack virus. So many patients think that Antivirals kill virus. They only aid in slowing viral replication.
As mentioned, Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is a Pro Drug and has an extra molecule in it that, in laymans terms, provided your body with the task of converting it into acyclovir. Less is flushed out quickly and thus more antiviral drug is available to slow viral replication.
I've tried both over the years, and Valacyclovir is more effective during an outbreak, in my body. Your mileage may vary. ;)
Well im married and just found out that i have had it and didnt know and now my husband has it... Are there any websites or info for married people living with this!
that's great that you take that much as long as you are drinking lots of water. I am on ACYCLOVIRcream and pills, I have only an oral breakout I am on 4x a day. This is my first out break and i'm a 30year old female. I did speak to a friend who mention for oral outbreaks, doing everything in you power to stop or lessen the serverity of them by mixing what all or any of the medications or creams.
I am going on 6 days and no real clear up. So I'm going to start combining
GOOD LUCK
I am going on 6 days and no real clear up. So I'm going to start combining
GOOD LUCK
the difference their is none ...acyclovir is a great effective medication....it is design to suppress outbreak's ...what the confusion is the volume of medication..400mg vs 200mg 3x for 7days Valtrex..2x a day for 7-10 day's ...this explaining on directions is wrong in fact and why it is used ....I don't know...but what it means is (this way of= taking it is design to take when you have a outbreak..so if i have a out break...Boom...( I take it this way for 7 to ten day's to suppress the current outbreak)..but what about the gray area's. What if i Have a outbreak and don't know it, What if i can pass it through viral shredding , Which has no symptoms....I have heard a lot of garbage about herpes and people need to wake up it's a virus...you do not take medication acyclovir or valtrex....on outbreak...to suppress your current outbreak..to totally cover the outbreak's you take it everyday..the gray area is how long..do i follow the prescription..but for everyday..hmmm..onething is do not trust Doctor's i think we have all had bad experience .Multiple Visit's , miss informed and bad information..hours online etc etc...I'm in a relationship and we decided to take it everyday...(Grey Area) taking it everyday suppress the virus (also cold sore version) the reason you need to take it everyday is to contain it..so you ..and in my case...girlfriend don't make it worst for us...your hands..legs ..inner thighs,feet,eyes , Face,,,this is why their are so many versions of the virus in the body....acyclovir is the formula that suppress..Valtrex turns into acyclovir in the body..it's the Same Medicine. Valtrex is the same Or if i want to get tech Oxymoron.. Valtrex Has the acyclovir Component that's what you need..if you are on a budget acyclovir is for you just have to take it frequent and more often..if you are made of money Valtrex is for you. the increase gray area..is therapeutic ..adjustments (said weird) meaning if you dose it to weak..you would need a strong dosage so it wouldn't be uncommon for someone take 400mg vs 200..i would say ..probably the high the better..but you have to do the knowledge.get to no your body..since we all have a strong sense of are body this is why the dosage informaton is wrong because it doesn't talk about difference betweens.(why take it for) .. TALK TO YOUR dOCTOR. PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN(DOCTOR) gET THE FACT'S if you are trying to protect your self and your love one's take every day..to suppress for no chance of outbreak..without medicine you will continus to have outbreak's as soon as the dosage were's off ..doctors are evil
this is an old post. please start your own post on the herpes forum - thanks!
grace
grace
Why would my doctor suggest i switch from valacyclovir to acyclovir out of the blue? i barely take the stuff for hsv 2 on my elbow, since i quit taking it my outbreaks from sun exposure have gotten milder.
Why would my doctor suggest i switch from valacyclovir to acyclovir out of the blue? i barely take the stuff for hsv 2 on my elbow, since i quit taking it my outbreaks from sun exposure have gotten milder.
you posted on a very old post. please start your own post on the herpes forum and we'll gladly help you over there - thanks!
grace
grace
I have recurrent genital herpes..i am not always sexually active. will acyclovir started a few days before sex reduce shedding of my genital herpes so that i dont have to take it everyday?
I break out often with sores in the mouth,foods that are acidic, really upsetting to worry about what I eat, Don't eat alot of fruit which is good for you and Sauces, tomatos, anything spicy. Lemonade. Usually behind the lips, told herpes simplex.If I don't cover nose and lips good in the sun for long ,a break out will appear. I have acyclovir 200mg, says once a day. maybe not enough. Any suggestions. Thanks carole
I was just told that I have herpes 2 weeks ago. From all test taken it seemed to have old antibodies and maybe it's been there for some time. I've been married for 5 years and have been faithful. I've asked him to be tested but he said either way he's not leaving so we go on the assumption he has it for now. I was giving acyclovir for outbreak if any 200 mg 5 times a day, because I don't seem to ever recall having one. I did have a discharge which was told it was yeast but it never seemed to go away so I went back and asked that blood work be taken because of stuff I read and it was herpes. Can I just take 200 mg twice a day for suppression . Please advise ?
I've been taking acyclovir 400 mg 1/day for a few years and i just got a bad outbreak and I cant seem to get it under control. I've increased my pills to about 6 per day, which usually clears it up in a couple days, but this time it's not helping.
I've have valtrex from a previous prescription, which i'm considering taking for a few days to switch it up. However, in the past Valtrex hasnt helped. I'm not really sure what to do-any suggestions??
I've have valtrex from a previous prescription, which i'm considering taking for a few days to switch it up. However, in the past Valtrex hasnt helped. I'm not really sure what to do-any suggestions??
Does anybody know why when im with a new partner I experience outbreak symptoms some days later??
COMMUNITY LEADER
The suppression dose for acyclovir is 400 mg twice a day. Acyclovir doesn't last as long in your body, so you aren't getting as much benefit from taking it once a day.
You should take it at regular intervals, like breakfast and dinner, etc.
Aj
You should take it at regular intervals, like breakfast and dinner, etc.
Aj
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
