
What Causes Persistent Cold Sore Even After Valtrex Usage?

Kindly send details & pictures of the cold sore
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the cold sore and it's related problems.
I can get from your query that you have been prescribed valacyclovir tablet for cold sore and you are not able to find any results after taking it.
In view to help you best I request you to kindly upload your pictures of the affected area. Also I request you to kindly provide me the details of your illness-
-since how many days you have this cold sore problem.
-Is it for the first time you have got this problem or are getting it recurrently. If yes then since when you had it for the first time.
-How many times in a year you get the cold sores.
-Kindly also let me know the dose of valacyclovir tablet. Is it 500 mg or 1 gm.
-Any previous medications taken for the same.
hope to hear soon from your side.
Take care.
Take care


The cold sore started last Sunday. The Valtrex was prescribed Wednesday afternoon. I get maybe 1 outbreak a year from stress-related or immune compromised reasons. The dose was 2 grams every 12 hours for 2 doses.
I cut out gluten, chocolate, anything with nuts & have only been eating food that is high in lysine. It is so frustrating!
Valacyclovir has best effect within 72 hours
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your further follow up and adding details to you query.
After analyzing the complete query I can make out that you are suffering from Herpes simplex since last Sunday and the antiviral tablets were started on 4th day (Wednesday).
Now to tell you simply- herpes is a recurrent viral infection and once a year is normal and least possible usual occurrence.
Now a days the mainstay of treatment is by antiviral drugs where Valacyclovir is the latest and one of the best drugs for halting the activity of herpes virus.
It is to be noted that the antiviral tablet is to be started at the earliest possible. It means best at at the earliest possible as soon as the lesions of herpes (vesicles ) starts. If not possible then within 24 hours or by latest 72 hours of onset. After 72 hours the antiviral tablets have comparatively less effect.
So we can get from your query that you started the tablets at or around after 72 hours of onset. So the antiviral tablets were not able to produce its best effect.
I suggest you that whenever in next episode you feel any eruptions then should start the tablets at the earliest tpossible within 24 hours of onset. Delaying the tablets will lead to reduced effect.
For the present part of cold sore -as there is formation of scabs now so the viral activity is now halted and the scab will probably fall in next couple of days. In my patients with such stage of cold sore I generally suggest to apply an antibacterial cream such as fucidin or mupirocin in a thin layer for two times.
Let me also reassure you that once year episode is one the least possible episode and means good immunity taking care of you.
I hope these informations will help you. I will be glad to reply any further queries.
"Wish you good health"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology

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