Valtrex - Liver Damage - Herpes Message Board

kierstyn_04 · 06-01-2005, 10:12 AM

So about 4 months ago I went to my dr. I was having a lot of outbreaks andIt was time for a yearly anyway. So she tells me that I can up my dose of Valtrex to 2g a day. One in the morning and one at night. That worked great! I was OB free for about 3 months now, and loving it! Only a few days ago I called my dr because we had a problem with the pharmacy and needed more called in. So a nurse calls me back and says that taking 2 grams a day can cause liver damage and I should only be taking 1 gram a day, no more and only durring OB's do I take 2. Ok so I have been doing this for 3 months at least! And honestly I dont want to stop, I like not having OB's. And this seems to be what does it. So when she told me this I cut back to 1 a day for the last few days and guess what?? Yep, OB almost instantly. Very mild one, but a OB , so I want to go back on it. So has anyone heard of this. She also said I cant be on Valtrex forever! Not that I planned on it, but at least the next few years. I actually sat and debated when I got the OB, liver damage VS. no OB, liver damage VS no OB . . . it was hard and a stupid thought really, but Im sure you guys understand why I actually thought about it! Any help would be appreciated!

Ashlyn73 · 06-02-2005, 03:52 PM

Hello, if you are concerned you can have blood tests to monitor your liver function. If they find that the Valtrex is causing liver damage, you can cut back your dose or stop taking it altogether for a while. Before I took Valtrex I was concerned about liver damage too. Unfortunately for me, the side effects (intense anxiety and itchy skin) were unbearable! I am in the middle of an OB and thinking of trying it again. This is SO frustrating! Anyways, good luck!

twiceblessed · 06-02-2005, 04:23 PM

SInce I don't know your background with HSV, I am curious - is Valtrex your only therapy for it right now? Do you do anything with diet or OTC supplements for OBs?

kierstyn_04 · 06-03-2005, 08:41 AM

I was at one time taking: garlic, red marine algae, zinc, vitamin C, valtrex and a bunch of other stuff I cant remember. That was months ago and it didnt really do much for me. The switched me to Ascylovir (spelling?) and it made my lips swells up like I had been punched in the mouth, so back to valtrex it was. I still got OB probably once a month on 500mg valtrex. They bumped it up to 1g and I got it about every 6 weeks. Now on 2g (which at first she said was ok to take) I didnt have any for a long time, like 3 months! Now she calls me and says I may have liver damage, because thats where valtrex is processed in the body. Then the best part is that they call me yesterday and admit it was a bad idea to put me up that high and are worried about kidney damage as well. Nice (I switched GYN) So they took blood and until then, Im at 1g a day and I already have another OB, not as bad as usual, but still there. Im still debating if I want to stop taking it , that is hmuch I hate OB. And I know this is stupid irrational thinking, but its true, I am not sure its worth it to quit taking it. Those 3 months were so nice!

youandme · 06-03-2005, 10:57 AM

Hey Kierstyn!
It´s natural that your gyn will want to monitor your liver functions. Most or all meds are processed in the liver, the liver gets rid of all the bad stuff in the body. It is very common for example that gyns want to monitor liver functions when birthcontrol pills are taken.

So don´t feel like you already have done some damge. Your doc is just being responsible and wants to see how your body handles the meds. The 2gm does sound pretty high though, at least for supression. From what I understand 500mg or 1g is the usual for Valtrex. For Acyclovir it´s usually 2 x400mg or 1 x 800mg per day, for supression.