Acyclovir vs Valacyclovir
 | Acyclovir |  | Valacyclovir |  |
| Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex), shingles (caused by herpes zoster), and chickenpox. | Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. In children, it is used to treat cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex) and chickenpox (caused by varicella zoster). In adults, it is used to treat shingles (caused by herpes zoster) and cold sores around the mouth. Valacyclovir is also used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes. In people with frequent outbreaks, this medication is used to reduce the number of future episodes. Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug. It stops the growth of certain viruses. However, it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Valacyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to prevent another type of viral infection (cytomegalovirus) in some people. | |||
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Reviews
| Add Acyclovir review Contracted herpes from a guy I was dating. I knew something was wrong 2 weeks after we had sex, so I went to the emergency room. I thought it was a bad UTI but the doctor said it was cervicitis and gave me whatever shot it is they give people who have contracted an STD. Symptoms slowly got better and I went almost 6 months without an outbreak. Come to find out I have herpes. I started out taking a ... I am allergic to this med, unfortunately. I broke out in a rash all over my body after 2 days. also allergic to Valcyclovir. was told there is nothing else I can take. Dear fellow women with genital herpes - It is soooo very important that you have regular Pap exams. Because you have the herpes virus, you are prone to cervical cancer. I know -- I contracted it. So please, ya'll, have annual exams. | Add Valacyclovir review I am a 65 year old male. I came down with shingles on a Saturday. A rash broke out on my lower back and starting burning and itching that night. Looked up info on shingles and saw pictures that looked like my rash. Went to an Urgent Care center Sunday morning and was quickly diagnosed with shingles and put on steroids and Valacyclovir. Worked amazingly well. I never blistered and pain greatly reduced..Rash is fading after only 5 days.. Side effects for me are a little depression and dull headache. Recommend it strongly but make sure you get to DR early ! I do not get the rash or blisters when I get shingles so it takes me longer to realize that is the problem. I was nine days into the shingle outbreak when the doctor prescribed this medication for me and it is helping relieve the pain and itching. I had chest wall pain on my left side from under my shoulder blade around to my breast for 5 days and went to the emergency room because we were out of state. They didn't find any reason for the pain. we got home 2 days later and I saw my doctor immediately. He prescribed Acyclovir and I took that for 4 days before the rash finally broke through. Went back and he prescribed Valacyclovir and Lyrica. I have been able to sleep and function to a large degree. The rash has diminished quite a bit as has the pain. It has been 23 days since the pain first started and I am still on the meds but feeling at least 90% better today. | |||
