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
The dose for acyclovir for suppressive therapy is 400mg 2x/day . I have no idea why you are on such a high dose. It's completely unneccesary. If you are still having symptoms on that dose then you need a further evaluation to find out what is going on because chances are good that it isn't herpes.
Valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug. What this basically means is that you swallow valtrex and your body converts it into acyclovir inside your body. Because you get more of the active medication in your body that way - you don't have to take it as often. The advantage of valtrex is - less pills to remember to take so a greater chance of actually taking them. There isn't any other real difference between them.
I'm not sure where you are being followed up at but according to your profile you are near one of the best herpes clinics around. Is that where you are seen at?
grace
Valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug. What this basically means is that you swallow valtrex and your body converts it into acyclovir inside your body. Because you get more of the active medication in your body that way - you don't have to take it as often. The advantage of valtrex is - less pills to remember to take so a greater chance of actually taking them. There isn't any other real difference between them.
I'm not sure where you are being followed up at but according to your profile you are near one of the best herpes clinics around. Is that where you are seen at?
grace
Recently diagnosed - stressed out - from my research suppressive therapy of Valtrex 500mg daily reduces viral shedding by 80% and Acylovir 400mg x2 daily reduces viral shedding by 94%. Is this correct and if so Acylovir appears to be more affective. Please clear this up for me.....Thank you very much liz
COMMUNITY LEADER
I don't know where you read that, but I've not heard of those numbers.
If you are in Seattle, you should go to the Univ of Washington Viral Clinic - they are one of the best in the country, and I'd go there in a heartbeat.
Aj
If you are in Seattle, you should go to the Univ of Washington Viral Clinic - they are one of the best in the country, and I'd go there in a heartbeat.
Aj
Hi Auntiejessi
Obtained info from ASHA which states that while on Acyclovir 400mg x2dly 94% reduction in subclinical shedding. So I wonder is Acyclovir more affective than Valtres. I understand that Valtrex its just 1 pill - - Acyclovir is x2 and possiblities of missing a dosage is more likely however is Acyclovir more affective?
Thanks Liz86
Obtained info from ASHA which states that while on Acyclovir 400mg x2dly 94% reduction in subclinical shedding. So I wonder is Acyclovir more affective than Valtres. I understand that Valtrex its just 1 pill - - Acyclovir is x2 and possiblities of missing a dosage is more likely however is Acyclovir more affective?
Thanks Liz86
COMMUNITY LEADER
Well, that's interesting, as valtrex turns to acyclovir in your liver. You might post this in the herpes forum, as Grace is an expert with these numbers and studies.
Aj
Aj
Hi, not sure how to post info in the herpes forum, not familar how it works, thanks Liz86
COMMUNITY LEADER
There is a link for the herpes community at the top of this page in the community description. Just click it, and it will take you to the herpes forum. Then you post just as you did here.
You should start your own thread there, and to do that, just click on the green "Post a question" button.
Aj
You should start your own thread there, and to do that, just click on the green "Post a question" button.
Aj
I to have taken both drugs and for me- as we are all different Valtrex is the only sure fire prescription that worked for me, absolutly no outbreaks or chronic pain as opposed to acyclovir. I am currently fighting California ADAP over their refusal to assist with Valtrex. However after extensive research if you find that acyclovir works equally well for you then in my opinion you need not change. I have friends who also have success with acyclovir. Valtrex is very expensive and I await their looming patent to end sometime in 2009. However you can obtain Valtrex from Canadian pharmacies for about $80.00 a month-significantly less. Please just be sure and do a little research that it is a reputable pharmacy and there are many that are. Good Luck.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Have you tried Bridges to Access? That's the assistance program for GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of valtrex.
I do think that ADAP should cover valtrex, but in the meantime, you might try that program for help.
Aj
I do think that ADAP should cover valtrex, but in the meantime, you might try that program for help.
Aj
My doctor has me on 800 mg acyclovir 1 time daily for suppression. Is this as effective as taking 400 mg 2x daily? Everywhere that I have read says that you are supposed to take acyclovir twice a day. My main concern is reducing the chance of spreading the disease to others. I use condoms however I want to make sure that I am on the most effective treatment to reduce the chance of shedding as well.
Is acyclovir as effective as valtrex and if so is taking an 800 mg pill once daily as effective as taking a 400 mg pill 2x daily? Also, if a 800 mg acyclovir pill once daily is OK, is there a time of day that it should be the most effective to take to help reduce shedding? for instance if I plan on engaging in sexual intercourse at say around 8 pm in the evening.
thanx
Is acyclovir as effective as valtrex and if so is taking an 800 mg pill once daily as effective as taking a 400 mg pill 2x daily? Also, if a 800 mg acyclovir pill once daily is OK, is there a time of day that it should be the most effective to take to help reduce shedding? for instance if I plan on engaging in sexual intercourse at say around 8 pm in the evening.
thanx
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
Does anybody know why when im with a new partner I experience outbreak symptoms some days later??
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??
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 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 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?
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
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.
this is an old post. please start your own post on the herpes forum - thanks!
grace
grace
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