famvir stronger then valtrex??

[SOC]

My specialist is considering switching me from Valtrex to Famvir now. Even with a high dose of Valtrex, my EBV keeps reactivating. She says they're seeing Valtrex-resistant HSV and EBV because, as with antibiotics, some people (mostly those with genital herpes and HIV) are not using the antiviral correctly thereby killing off the weaker strains but leaving those more resistant to the meds to propagate throughout the population.

It's also possible that Famvir has more activity against other herpesviruses than is known, so it's better at keeping multiple infections suppressed.

So, if my EBV tests this week show EBV reactivated again, we'll do the switch to Famvir. If I see any changes in my immune results that suggest it's doing better than the Valtrex for me now, I'll pass on that info.

 

[joojee22]

I’d like to point out that Valaciclovir is not the same as Acyclovir, so a study that compares Famvir to acyclovir is not the same as comparing it to Valaciclovir.
Also, it is well known that generic Valaciclovir does NOT work as well as brand. It is my understanding that Valtrex brand is far superior to any other form of the medication. I tell you when my life depended on it.. I took no chances and took brand Valtrex.
And after having bad side effects on just small amounts then I had to continue with high amounts and found that the side effects went away. But now I have learned to take NAC before taking a small amount and it helps the initial liver shock (is what I call it) but as you continue to use it at high doses for me that went away.

That’s my two cents

 

[SOC]

I’d like to point out that Valaciclovir is not the same as Acyclovir, so a study that compares Famvir to acyclovir is not the same as comparing it to Valaciclovir.
Also, it is well known that generic Valaciclovir does NOT work as well as brand. It is my understanding that Valtrex brand is far superior to any other form of the medication. I tell you when my life depended on it.. I took no chances and took brand Valtrex.
And after having bad side effects on just small amounts then I had to continue with high amounts and found that the side effects went away. But now I have learned to take NAC before taking a small amount and it helps the initial liver shock (is what I call it) but as you continue to use it at high doses for me that went away.

That’s my two cents

Valacyclovir (Valtrex) converts to acyclovir in the body, so in that sense they are the same medication -- just different delivery systems.

In my experience (and that of one of my specialists), some generics are definitely inferior to the brand (Valtrex). Mylan and Teva generics seem to be as good as the brand, however.

 

[joojee22]

Delivery is not everything ..it is the only thing that matters with medication. Pharmaceutical companies know when they develop a medication that eventually they will go generic. Something still has to keep them a cut above the generic in order for them to sustain their Crazy! high prices.. and that Something.. is delivery!
Valtrex when compared to acyclovir is taken once a day, acyclovir twice a day.. so when comparing the time effectiveness is not really valid for famvir vs. acyclovir vs. Valtrex.
I haven't tried generic Teva Valtrex so I cant speak to that one, however Teva generic Ambien does not work.. so.. lol.. not impressed with them but in the interest of saving money.. I will try them because the darn brand name stuff is so dang expensive.. argh..
I think some day in the very near future this type of antiviral will be outdated.. yeh.. new and better medications are on the horizon

 

[Christopher]

How did you all find doctors to do testing and Rx?

 

[SOC]

How did you all find doctors to do testing and Rx?

You have to connect with one of the top ME/CFS specialists. For you, one of the NYC docs (Enlander, Levine, ???), or Dr Lerner (in a Detroit suburb) would be easiest. Local docs don't begin to have the knowledge of the illness to know what to test for or how to correctly interpret the results of many tests in light of the illness.

 

[SOC]

Valtrex when compared to acyclovir is taken once a day, acyclovir twice a day.. so when comparing the time effectiveness is not really valid for famvir vs. acyclovir vs. Valtrex.

Valtrex dosing is more commonly 2-4 times daily, not once. Acyclovir dosing is usually 3-5 times daily, not twice. These dosings reflect how long a sufficient level of the medication remains in the bloodstream. The half life of valacyclovir in the blood is about 3 hours. To maintain a steady, moderate-high level of acyclovir in the blood, both valcyclovir and acyclovir need to be dosed multiple times a day. I'm not sure where you are getting your info about these antivirals, but you might want to check it.

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is a prodrug of acyclovir, not an entirely different medication. Valcyclovir converts to acyclovir (the active form of the medication that inhibits viral replication) in the liver. Because of this Valacyclovir has a bioavailability of about 55%. That's a big improvement over oral acyclovir's approximately 15% bioavailability. This is why valacyclovir is generally considered preferable for all but the mildest infections. It is the same active medication with better bioavailability.

 

[Christopher]

You have to connect with one of the top ME/CFS specialists. For you, one of the NYC docs (Enlander, Levine, ???), or Dr Lerner (in a Detroit suburb) would be easiest. Local docs don't begin to have the knowledge of the illness to know what to test for or how to correctly interpret the results of many tests in light of the illness.

Thanks. I've seen Levine a couple years ago and she was the first doctor to Rx Valtrex.