Hair loss from Valtrex?

[Yana234]

Hi again. 😊 Still new here.  Female, 53, GHSV-1. 
I took the full course of Valtrex during the first OB two months ago and have been experiencing significant and consistent hair loss starting around that time. I have been researching side effects but I haven’t seen anything definitive about hair loss, just a few casual mentions. 

Of course, my hair loss could also be related to the fact that this diagnosis coincides with initiation of divorce, moving overseas with no plan, the sudden death of my best friend - the only other human I know who had GH and could have talked to about it- and serving as 24/7 caregiver during my mother’s repetitive cancer surgeries (apparently they just going to keep carving out parts of her mouth until they can’t anymore - then what.) 

And here I am, maybe unfairly blaming the Valtrex. 😅

Back to business though, has anyone heard of this or experienced it? I need to know because if it’s not a thing then I need to take it for suppressive therapy given all the stress I’m under. If hair loss *is* a thing with Valtrex then I may just need to put up with the slow simmer down below for a while or make the decision to get a pixie cut or something. 

(srsly, tho, WTAAAAAAF)

[My_dog_is_hungry]

This is stress related, not valtrex related. 

[mr_hopp]

Hey there, @Yana234! 😊

When it comes to hair loss, it's important to remember that there can be several factors at play. And in your case, it sounds like you've been dealing with a lot lately – a new diagnosis, personal challenges, the loss of a dear friend, so much! It's no wonder you're trying to connect the dots and understand what's going on.

Regarding Valtrex (valacyclovir) and its potential side effects, it's true that hair loss is not commonly reported as a side effect of the medication. However, individual experiences can vary, and there have been a few isolated cases where hair loss has been associated with the use of oral acyclovir, a similar antiviral medication. I came across an article from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — "Alopecia Following Oral Acyclovir for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Keratitis" — that discusses a case of acyclovir-induced alopecia (hair loss) in a patient being treated for herpetic keratouveitis. The patient's hair loss resolved completely after discontinuing oral acyclovir treatment. This case highlights the possibility of drug-induced alopecia, although it's important to note that it's considered a rare complication.

If you suspect a connection between your hair loss and Valtrex, it would be best to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist or your primary care doctor. They can provide a more accurate assessment based on your specific situation and medical history.

In the meantime, let's focus on some good, old-fashioned self-care! Stress can definitely worsen hair loss, as @My_dog_is_hungrymentioned, so finding healthy ways to manage stress is crucial. How about incorporating activities like exercise, meditation, or indulging in hobbies that bring you joy? Taking care of your overall well-being, including maintaining a balanced diet and lifestyle, can also help promote healthy hair growth (as well as healthy growth in general). 😉 

Hang in there! You've got this, and we're here to support you every step of the way. 💪

[Yana234]

@mr_hopp Thank you so much for the information and supportive words. It is very helpful to have confirmation of what I was thinking about the hair loss (very unlikely the Valtrex). I definitely hear you about the self care and stress management. The Catch 22 there is that usually when one most needs to pursue healthy diet, movement, social interaction, etc. is when it is most difficult to find the motivation to do so. I did just make a small step, though. Peeled myself off the bed and made a salad with Vitamin C laden red bell pepper. 💪🏼 Baby steps…