I was diagnosed with genital herpes in February 2003. For the first couple of years I had a very hard time with outbreaks. I would get 8-12 outbreaks a year and they were quite painful and inconvenient. Around late 2004 I posted a question in one of the old forums asking about how to better manage my genital herpes. Dr. Handsfield responded to me and suggested that i begin suppressive therapy with 1g of valacyclovir per day. The advice turned out to be a godsend. Ever since starting on 1g of valacyclovir per day in 2004, I have not had one single outbreak. 

Now I have a new doctor who wants to stop my valacyclovir prescription because a recent blood test showed that I have elevated enzymes in my liver, and she thinks it may be due to my taking 1g of valacyclovir every day. She also said "You've taken it for 20 years, maybe you have suppressed it enough and don't need to take it anymore. I'm pretty sure genital herpes does not work this way though.

Is valacyclovir known for causing liver issues? Under no circumstances do i want to stop taking it. It has made my life so much easier since over the years.

Thank you for the help.

No, your doctor is mistaken - liver and kidney complications are very rare indeed with this drug.  However, a normal dose is 500 mg once a day and 1000 is used for people with more outbreaks, which is probably why that dose was recommended in the first place.  You could try going down to 500 mg and see how you do.  I see no reason for you to stop taking antivirals at all.  I've had patients on this for 35 years without complications. 

I hope you can come to some agreement with your doctor about this or consider an alternative provider.  And follow those liver enzymes - they could certainly be due to other things.

Terri

Terri