From the Guidelines
It is generally safe to take lysine supplements while taking Valtrex (valacyclovir), but you should consult with your healthcare provider before combining them. Valtrex is an antiviral medication commonly prescribed to treat herpes infections, while lysine is an amino acid supplement that some people take in hopes of preventing herpes outbreaks. There are no known significant drug interactions between lysine and Valtrex, as evidenced by the lack of mention in guidelines such as those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1. Some patients choose to take both because they may work through different mechanisms - Valtrex directly interferes with viral replication, while lysine may help inhibit the virus by competing with another amino acid (arginine) that the herpes virus needs. If you decide to take lysine, typical supplemental doses range from 1,000-3,000 mg daily, though needs vary by individual. Be aware that while some people report benefits from lysine supplementation for herpes management, scientific evidence for its effectiveness remains limited. Also note that lysine supplements can occasionally cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea or diarrhea in some individuals. Key considerations when taking lysine with Valtrex include:
- Monitoring for any potential side effects
- Adhering to the prescribed dosage of Valtrex, which can vary from 250 mg to 1,000 mg orally once or twice a day 1
- Being aware of the limited scientific evidence supporting the use of lysine for herpes management.
From the Research
Lysine and Valtrex Interaction
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that discusses the interaction between lysine and Valtrex (valaciclovir) 2, 3, 4.
- However, studies suggest that lysine may have a beneficial effect in suppressing the clinical manifestations of herpesvirus infection, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) 5, 6.
- Valtrex (valaciclovir) is an antiviral medication used to treat HSV infections, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in several studies 2, 3, 4.
- While there is no direct evidence of an interaction between lysine and Valtrex, it is possible that taking lysine supplements may not interfere with the effectiveness of Valtrex, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Lysine Supplementation
- Lysine supplementation appears to be ineffective for prophylaxis or treatment of herpes simplex lesions with doses of less than 1 g/d without low-arginine diets 6.
- Doses of lysine in excess of 3 g/d may improve patients' subjective experience of the disease, but longer duration controlled studies are required to definitively test its role in herpes simplex prophylaxis 6.
- Patients with cardiovascular or gallbladder disease should be cautioned and warned of the theoretical risks of lysine supplementation 6.