I got a Rx for valacyclovir last week, tried to get the name brand Valtrex, but the insurance won't cover it, and it would cost nearly $2000/month supply according to my pharmacist. The pharmacist said that the only difference is the fillers used to bind everything together. It was a struggle to get the script for it in the first place, so I am trying out the generic at 3000mg/day for 3 weeks, then visiting ENT doc again for another audiogram and consult. He's planning on tapering the dosage from there according to the Gacek study. Have the generic valacyclovir worked well for anyone? What difference is there between the generic and name brand?
I only took generics for famvir and acyclovir. I did not take valtrex. However, i hear people on the board say it depends which generic. They prefer one brand over the other. I am sure someone will pipe up with the names.
Mylan manufacturer seems to be an issue for most people though some people have found it effective. I have been on North Star manufacturer for the past 3 Months and have found great relief from my symptoms. If you google Mylan valacyclovir you will find a lot of dissatisfied users particularly those afflicted with Aids. All the best in your search for relief.
Btw, Gacek clearly says that it's ok to go longer than 3 weeks at the max dose. Many forum members here have reported that symptoms fully subsided only after a few months at the 3000 mg dose. So don't let an ignorant doctor fool you into a failure trial. Any doctor or nurse practitioner can script this.
Looks like I have the Mylan valacyclovir. I'll check for sure at the pharmacy next time and see about Northstar. At this point I'll see how well it works and will have to negotiate with ENT doc in three weeks about what to do next. Take things on step at a time. Valtrex it seems, is off the table due to high cost.
I have followed this question closely because I have had different results with different versions of Valacyclovir--pretty good on Ranbaxy (good enough to get me some of my hearing back!), not so good on Cadista (but someone else on this board did well with Cadista) and best on Valtrex, the brand name. Folks seem to pretty consistently have great results with Northstar. And, as you've heard, pretty consistently get disappointing results with Mylan. I don't know why the difference.