I'll be the first to admit it – I've been pretty lucky when it comes to my health. But when I finally got hit with a full-blown case of genital herpes, I was desperate to get rid of the pain. My doctor told me it was probably a sign of a weakened immune system, but at the time, I just wanted a solution. For treating herpes, they often prescribe a cream called acyclovir, but in my case, I was given Valacyclovir-AKOS in tablet form for 10 days.
valacyclovir
Key Details
Price: 650 rubles.
Quantity: 10 tablets.
Manufactured in: Russia.
Shelf Life: 3 years.
Where to Buy: Any pharmacy.
Valacyclovir is also available in a 40-tablet pack for around 2200 rubles.
About the Product:
Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication that's essentially a derivative of acyclovir, with an added amino acid called valine. Acyclovir is a guanine analog.
In the body, valacyclovir is quickly and almost completely converted into acyclovir and valine, likely due to the action of an enzyme called valacyclovir hydrolase.
Acyclovir is a specific inhibitor of herpes viruses, with in vitro activity against herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus 6.
Composition and Other Information:
Indications for Use:
I was expecting to be prescribed acyclovir tablets for treating genital herpes, but my doctor told me that acyclovir is a bit outdated and has been replaced by valacyclovir, which is essentially acyclovir with an added amino acid called valine.
Mainly, the new medication is way more advanced, absorbs faster, and lets you get rid of infection symptoms in no time. Unfortunately, you can't completely get rid of the virus since it stays in your body forever, causing occasional relapses.
Packaging
I got a bright blue box with big letters.
genital herpes treatment
Inside, there's a foil blister pack with 10 tablets.
On the back, the medication's name is duplicated, making it easy to take with you. The only downside is that the tablets are a bit hard to get out, but it's manageable.
Characteristics
Tablets are elongated, convex on both sides, and white. No dividing lines, so you have to swallow them whole.
Size is quite large, which I'm not a fan of. I find it hard to swallow big tablets, but valacyclovir is easy to get down without discomfort in my throat. I try to wash it down with plenty of water to minimize the risk of a lump in my throat.
Taste is non-existent, along with any smell. At least, I didn't feel anything bitter or sour; it seemed more like a 'chalky' texture. There's no aftertaste, either – everything's fine.
My experience
Since this was my first time dealing with genital herpes, I didn't immediately realize what was happening. I'd seen those sores on my friends' and acquaintances' lips, but I'd never experienced it myself. And then, I got hit with a full-blown case of genital herpes in all the right places.
I had a weird sensation of burning on my vaginal lining, but I just wrote it off as a flare-up of hemorrhoids. But by morning, I was covered in blisters on my vaginal lining. I even woke up in agony in my groin area, and even the strongest painkillers couldn't help me at that point.
After getting tested, I was diagnosed with genital herpes and prescribed valacyclovir for 10 days. The instructions said to take it for 5 days, but my doctor said I had a severe case, so I should take it for 10 days to be safe. I was a bit worried I had missed the window.
I took 2 tablets a day for 10 days, and I didn't experience any side effects. My sensitive stomach didn't react, and my headache didn't come back. So, the course was pretty easy, except for the excruciating pain from the herpes infection.
I felt real relief after 5 days, I think. At first, I thought the tablets weren't working, and I wanted to get rid of the pain as soon as possible. But I'm glad I finished the 10-day course - it made a huge difference.
The blisters started to pop and heal, leaving behind small ulcers that dried up and fell off. The acyclovir cream helped with the symptoms locally, but the tablets were the real game-changers. They made the blisters disappear way faster, and new ones didn't pop up.
In the last few days, I was feeling great again, and I even wanted to stop taking the tablets. But herpes is a sneaky thing - it attacks the nerve endings, so the pain lingers even after you're better. I'm glad I stuck with the course, because valacyclovir really helped with the pain.
I was taking painkillers internally, inserting ketorol suppositories, and applying lidocaine locally. But it was the valacyclovir tablets that saved me from the pain and the horror that was happening down there. It felt like someone had put a hot iron between my legs for 24 hours.
For me, another big plus of this medication is that I only had to take 2 tablets a day, with no need to eat them. Acyclovir, on the other hand, needs to be taken 5 times a day or every 4 hours.
Why I Prefer Valacyclovir over Acyclovir
I was a bit skeptical at first, but valacyclovir really delivered. The tablets were easy to take, and I didn't experience any side effects. Plus, they worked way faster than acyclovir, which is a big plus when you're dealing with a painful herpes outbreak.
So, if you're dealing with genital herpes, I would definitely recommend valacyclovir over acyclovir. Just remember to take it exactly as prescribed, and don't skip any doses. And, of course, try to avoid getting herpes in the first place)
Valacyclovir for Genital Herpes
I'm glad I could share my experience with you!