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Jen
Guest
 Apr-04-05, 10:53 PM (CST)
 
"valtrex vs. acyclovir"
 
   Has anyone had any experience with acyclovir being more effective than valtrex?


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  Subject     Author     Message Date     ID  
valtrex vs. acyclovir [View All] Jen Apr-04-05 TOP
  Everyone is different.. Rajahadmin Apr-05-05 1
     RE: Everyone is different.. Jen Apr-05-05 2
         Your mileage may vary... Rajahadmin Apr-05-05 3
             RE: Your mileage may vary... graceadmin Apr-07-05 4
                 I just upped Jen Apr-08-05 5
                     RE: I just upped graceadmin Apr-09-05 6
                     RE: I just upped New Person Sep-26-05 7
                         RE: I just upped graceadmin Sep-27-05 8
  RE: valtrex vs. acyclovir Keith Nov-28-05 9
  RE: valtrex vs. acyclovir Kate Dec-26-05 10
     Whats the dose Kate? howladmin Dec-26-05 11
     RE: valtrex vs. acyclovir A Jan-30-06 12

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Rajahadmin
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9854 posts		 Apr-05-05, 09:27 AM (CST)
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1. "Everyone is different.."
In response to message #0
 
In theory valtrex has better bioavailability and you don't need to take it as often. twice a day instead of 5 times for acyclovir, although there is some dosing information for suppression using acyclovir twice a day in larger doses. It comes down to whatever works best for you. Have you tried famvir? "Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain


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Jen
Guest
 Apr-05-05, 02:42 PM (CST)
 
2. "RE: Everyone is different.."
In response to message #1
 
   I have not tried Famvir yet. I've been on valtrex for about 7 months and have still had several OB's. I'm going back to the Dr. this week and just wanted some opinions on other med's. Can famvir be more effective than valtrex or does it just depend on the person? Thanks so much for you help!


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Rajahadmin
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9854 posts		 Apr-05-05, 09:11 PM (CST)
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3. "Your mileage may vary..."
In response to message #2
 
If valtrex is not doing what you want, I think that trying famvir makes a lot of sense. It's what I've been using almost since it came out and think I've had good results, but I don't often have OBs and have had herpes for 10 years now. "Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain


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graceadmin
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5121 posts		 Apr-07-05, 08:55 AM (CST)
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4. "RE: Your mileage may vary..."
In response to message #3
 
What dose of valtrex are you taking for suppressive therapy? How long did you have herpes before starting suppressive therapy? How many ob's were you getting before you started suppressive therapy? Keep in mind that valtrex will suppress about 70% of all reoccurances. Even though this sounds sucky if you were meant to have 2 ob's a month when not on suppressive therapy you might still have 3 or 4 ob's a year even when taking suppressive therapy. If you were having the average 4 to 6 a year when not on suppressive therapy then it's realistic to expect only 1 or 2 ob's a year on suppressive therapy. People who have 9 or more ob's a year need the higher doses of valrex ( 1gm a day ) for suppression. Others do better on 500mg twice a day. It's certainly worth trying famvir instead. Some people do better on one than the other. grace


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Jen
Guest
 Apr-08-05, 11:37 PM (CST)
 
5. "I just upped"
In response to message #4
 
   My dosage of valtrex from 500 mg. daily to 1 gm. daily. I went to the doctor today to discuss my OB's and the possibility of switching to famvir or something else and she decided that upping my dosage would probably help me. I was diagnosed early Sept. 2004 and immediately began taking valtrex suppressively. I have had 2 bad OB's, 3-4 mild one's and often times feel on the verge each month. I also have really bad prodrome symptoms. Lots of fatigue, very sore neck, back and headaches. Things haven't been easy by any stretch with only 500 mg a day. Hopefully, with the new prescription things will be a little better! Thanks so much for your great input. I'll keep you posted on the progress. I have also started taking Lysine and St. John's wart in addition to a B12 complex and multivitamin each day. In addition to that I am using tea tree oil for my OB's. That has been amazing! The relief is immediate and refreshing. Grace- you were right, the smell is not so fresh! I'm too young to have a pill box full of med's!!!


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graceadmin
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5121 posts		 Apr-09-05, 00:30 AM (CST)
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6. "RE: I just upped"
In response to message #5
 
Lysine does very little for herpes. The only doses that showed any results at all were the 1000mg 3 times a day dose. If the higher doses of valtrex don't help certainly try the famvir. Some people do seem to have problems with lingering "vague" tingles etc down yonder when on valtrex for some reason. Oh and yep not quite the smell you were aiming for down yonder when you use tea tree oil ...lol. grace


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New Person
Guest
 Sep-26-05, 10:17 PM (CST)
 
7. "RE: I just upped"
In response to message #5
 
   Is VAltrex and Zovirax the same? or different. I tried FAMVIR during the first OB. It worked fine, but my insurance only covers Zovirax. Any help is appreciated. I thought if FAMVIR is newer, it mus be better.


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graceadmin
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5121 posts		 Sep-27-05, 11:43 AM (CST)
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8. "RE: I just upped"
In response to message #7
 
Zovirax is acyclovir. It is available as a generic and is generally much cheaper than valtrex and famvir. Valtrex is an acyclovir prodrug. To greatly simplify it you swallow valtrex and during digestion it's converted into acyclovir. less of the active medication is destroyed that way. If I recall it's 15% of active acyclovir/zovirax is available to the body to be used to suppress the virus compared to 55% with valtrex. I don't recall offhand how famvir stacks up but it's close to valtrex if not a little better even. grace


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Keith
Guest
 Nov-28-05, 09:40 PM (CST)
 
9. "RE: valtrex vs. acyclovir"
In response to message #0
 
   I've had H for 15 years now. At first, I took nothing and had at least once OB a month! Finally, in 1996, I began taking acyclovir (zovirax) one 200 mg three times a day, as well as one 500 mg lysine twice a day for suppressive therapy, like this 1. morning 1 200 mg acyclovir, 2. afternoon 1 200 mg acyclovir and 1 500 mg lysine, 3. at bedtime 1 200 mg acyclovir and 1 500 mg lysine. Since 1996, I've only had a couple of OBs, very minor and usually completely gone within 3 or 4 days. It was a bit of a hassle at first to keep up with it, but after a couple of months, just part of the daily routine and now it's automatic. Going from at least one OB a month to only a couple in 9 years, this regimine has worked for me. Everyone's body is different, but this is how my body has responded. My doc the other week suggested I switch to Valtrex as I would only have to take it once a day for suppressive. However, I am reluctant to do it as I've had such good luck with what I am already doing. So, whether it be acyclovir, valtrex, famvir, lysine, etc., etc., I believe finding the right suppressive therapy is a bit of an experiment for each person given each person's unique body chemistry. I would encourage each person to experiment different ways, and most importantly, have a doctor who is sensitive to exploring with you what works for your individual body chemistry. My doctor was great! Good luck all! Keith


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Kate
Guest
 Dec-26-05, 04:28 PM (CST)
 
10. "RE: valtrex vs. acyclovir"
In response to message #0
 
   I have had H for 25 yrs. With OB every 2 wks for the first 1 1/2-2 years. Then acyclovir ointment came out at $20/tube. That tube lasted years. The frequency of OBs diminished when my spuse became an X-spouse. Years of living OB free. Paid attention to bio feedback, stress managemnet, diet, exercise, etc. Had an OB this spring, went to get a 'tube' and they recommended pill(acyclovir) as it was 'more effective and less expensive', now I am experiencing an OB every 4-6 weeks, am on my 4th refill, not happy about that. Has anyone else experienced this? thanks


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howladmin
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3291 posts		 Dec-26-05, 07:13 PM (CST)
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11. "Whats the dose Kate?"
In response to message #10
 
   Hey Kate, Unfortunately H has a mind of its own. I'm sorry you're having toruble. Do you know how much acyclovir you are taking? How many times a day do you take it? Do you take it to treat your OBs, or do you take it everyday to supress the OBs? I'm asking because you may need to change the dosage or timing of the acyclovir to get better results. best, Howl


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A
Guest
 Jan-30-06, 08:24 PM (CST)
 
12. "RE: valtrex vs. acyclovir"
In response to message #10
 
   I have had H for about 1 year now and been taking Valtrex since my first OB. I have only had 2 OB since and very minor. I was however considering Zorirax as it is much less expensive, but I'm consirned that it will be less effective.


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