How soon, time-wise, after taking Valtrex is it MORE safe to have sex?
November 1, 2019 1:29 AM Subscribe
So I'm trying to be more responsible in having sex with my genital HSV1. I've never had an outbreak (as far as I know) but, based on a recent bad incident, I now know I DO shed. So...responsibility. I've just been prescribed some Valtrex. Unfortunately it seems like they only gave me two weeks of it. So two questions related 1) how soon after taking it is there a preventative effect? One day? Two days? And 2) is it as effective to just take it a day or two before having sex and while having sex instead of every day?
(Also, to be kind to the poster, we don’t know whether they disclosed or not, just that they apparently managed to pass on the virus to a partner. It’s possible they disclosed but said they had never had an outbreak, and the partner took their chances.
Regardless, the poster is trying to do better, and good on them for doing so going forward.)
posted by ocherdraco at 6:45 AM on November 1, 2019 [13 favorites]
Regardless, the poster is trying to do better, and good on them for doing so going forward.)
posted by ocherdraco at 6:45 AM on November 1, 2019 [13 favorites]
Yeah, can we not pile on the OP? We don’t know the story here.
OP, I would get another appointment to see a medical professional so you can ask this question and probably get a prescription for daily Valtrex. I don’t think a 14 day supply is going to do much for you long-term.
posted by corey flood at 6:58 AM on November 1, 2019 [5 favorites]
OP, I would get another appointment to see a medical professional so you can ask this question and probably get a prescription for daily Valtrex. I don’t think a 14 day supply is going to do much for you long-term.
posted by corey flood at 6:58 AM on November 1, 2019 [5 favorites]
Mod note: One comment removed; medical advice is useful here but let's try to extend the benefit of the doubt to folks when they come here with questions.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:36 AM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:36 AM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
I dont think the prescription is "indicated"for transmission prevention. It's simply for reducing outbreaks. You should practice safe covered sex along with disclosing your diagnosis to your partner and talk to your primary care doctor about your sexual health. Good luck.
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 10:52 AM on November 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 10:52 AM on November 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
Valtrex (valcyclovir) and its predecessor acyclovir, have absolutely been used both short-term to treat a current outbreak and as a suppressive therpy to reduce shedding when asymptomatic.
If your doctor only gave you two weeks worth, that may have been to treat the current situation, and not intended as a longer-term suppressive regimen.
I do not know if it would work for you to just take it for a couple of days when you might be having sex, but daily suppressive management is definitely an option.
If you can't talk to your regular doctor about this, your local Planned Parenthood would be an excellent resource.
posted by ApathyGirl at 2:17 PM on November 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
If your doctor only gave you two weeks worth, that may have been to treat the current situation, and not intended as a longer-term suppressive regimen.
I do not know if it would work for you to just take it for a couple of days when you might be having sex, but daily suppressive management is definitely an option.
If you can't talk to your regular doctor about this, your local Planned Parenthood would be an excellent resource.
posted by ApathyGirl at 2:17 PM on November 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
Mod note: This is an answer from an anonymous commenter.
I take Valtrex when I feel a fever blister coming on, as a Poor, I order it from mefi-recommended alldaychemist.com. It is CRAZY cheaper than in the US, and although they make noise about "you will mail us a prescription," you do not need a prescription.posted by cortex (staff) at 2:32 PM on November 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
Wow. I think the judgment and misinformation on this page is a testament to why managing HSV is so hard. Plenty of doctors give bunk advice about it too, so let's not shame someone for having an extremely common virus that is invisible to most carriers!
OP, thanks for asking this question and looking out for future partners. There isn't great data to answer your exact question. Generally it takes 2-3 days for Valtrex to kick in for suppressive effect when you are having an outbreak. The half life of valacyclovir is very short, so you need to take it continually during that time for it to be most effective. If you take it all the time for prophylactic uses, it cuts your shedding rate in half. Everyone who has HSV 1 or 2 sheds, but some people shed a lot more than others. It's likely that if you've never had an outbreak you are already a low shedder -- but there's no way to know, and as you've seen there's always the possibility you could pass it on.
If I were you, I'd go back to my doctor and ask for a 30-day script with refills. Tell them you want daily, long-term suppressive therapy. (If you aren't having sex for a while you could stop taking it, just keep the extra pills, but for myself I would bank on perfect use for 3 days prior to gettin' it on. And again, it halves your shedding rate, it does not stop it altogether!) Long term use is generally very safe with no to minimal side effects.
Might be worth exploring barriers. Condoms, dental dams and saran wrap are great. I'd definitely use them if you're feeling sick or stressed -- although HSV sheds randomly throughout the month, you're most likely to see a pronounced jump in shedding when your immune system is distracted.
Feel free to MeMail me if you want to discuss. Sorry you're dealing with this!
posted by aw jeez at 4:26 PM on November 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
OP, thanks for asking this question and looking out for future partners. There isn't great data to answer your exact question. Generally it takes 2-3 days for Valtrex to kick in for suppressive effect when you are having an outbreak. The half life of valacyclovir is very short, so you need to take it continually during that time for it to be most effective. If you take it all the time for prophylactic uses, it cuts your shedding rate in half. Everyone who has HSV 1 or 2 sheds, but some people shed a lot more than others. It's likely that if you've never had an outbreak you are already a low shedder -- but there's no way to know, and as you've seen there's always the possibility you could pass it on.
If I were you, I'd go back to my doctor and ask for a 30-day script with refills. Tell them you want daily, long-term suppressive therapy. (If you aren't having sex for a while you could stop taking it, just keep the extra pills, but for myself I would bank on perfect use for 3 days prior to gettin' it on. And again, it halves your shedding rate, it does not stop it altogether!) Long term use is generally very safe with no to minimal side effects.
Might be worth exploring barriers. Condoms, dental dams and saran wrap are great. I'd definitely use them if you're feeling sick or stressed -- although HSV sheds randomly throughout the month, you're most likely to see a pronounced jump in shedding when your immune system is distracted.
Feel free to MeMail me if you want to discuss. Sorry you're dealing with this!
posted by aw jeez at 4:26 PM on November 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
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posted by ocherdraco at 6:41 AM on November 1, 2019 [3 favorites]