Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
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Valtrex vs. Zovirax
Feb 14, 1997
My doctor recently switched me off Zovirax, twice a day, onto
Valtrex(HCL) once
a day. I have noticed my stomach gets
upset more often now. I had to give up my most favorite vice, coffee!! I
have
been taking 3TC, D4T and Norvir (I failed
Crixivan) for 6 months now, with good results. I started Valtrex about a
month
and a half ago. I know both are made by the
same company. Would this be the possible cause for nausea, or should I
look for
another reason. How do these drugs differ.
Thanks! I enjoy you web site
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Response from Dr. Cohen
Valtrex is valacyclovir, a "pro-drug" of acyclovir that gets turned into
acyclovir as soon as it's absorbed, but which achieves higher drug
levels. Both
can be used for the prevention of herpes outbreaks: Zovirax (acyclovir)
at a
dose of 400 mg twice daily, and Valtrex at a dose of 500 mg once daily.
Other than the convenience of taking a pill once a day instead of twice,
there's
probably no advantage to Valtrex: they both work well. So if you
tolerated the
Zovirax better, ask your doctor about switching back.
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