Re: ME/CFS Research Expert Suzanne Vernon, PhD on Valtrex and CFS

[Guest guest]

Most pharma have patient assistance programs.

What does Dr. Vernon believe can help patients with ME/CFS?

From: CFAlliance-owner <CFAlliance-owner >

Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 9:42 PM

Q: Drugs like valacyclovir are too expensive to try. Are there options for

treatments for those without insurance? [Valacyclovir, brand name Valtrex, is an

antiviral drug that is active against the herpesvirus family including

Epstein-Barr]

Dr. Vernon: No.

* * * *

Q: Do you think valacyclovir would be worth trying in all patients with long

term CFS?

Dr. Vernon: No. Not all CFS is triggered by EBV or viruses that can be treated

with Valtrex. As with any antimicrobial drug, there is the possibility of the

agent developing resistance. It is possible for EBV to develop resistance to

antivirals such as Valtrex.

[Guest guest]

Most pharma have patient assistance programs.

What does Dr. Vernon believe can help patients with ME/CFS?

From: CFAlliance-owner <CFAlliance-owner >

Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 9:42 PM

Q: Drugs like valacyclovir are too expensive to try. Are there options for

treatments for those without insurance? [Valacyclovir, brand name Valtrex, is an

antiviral drug that is active against the herpesvirus family including

Epstein-Barr]

Dr. Vernon: No.

* * * *

Q: Do you think valacyclovir would be worth trying in all patients with long

term CFS?

Dr. Vernon: No. Not all CFS is triggered by EBV or viruses that can be treated

with Valtrex. As with any antimicrobial drug, there is the possibility of the

agent developing resistance. It is possible for EBV to develop resistance to

antivirals such as Valtrex.

[Guest guest]

20 years ago I had a short term trial with an anti viral. I don't think it was

Valtrex, but it did sound similar to the generic name. I didn't give it a fair

try then, but I would assume after 20 years there would be a generic anti viral

of one of these drugs.

>

> Q: Drugs like valacyclovir are too expensive to try. Are there options for

treatments for those without insurance? [Valacyclovir, brand name Valtrex, is an

antiviral drug that is active against the herpesvirus family including

Epstein-Barr]

>

> Dr. Vernon: No.

>

> * * * *

> Q: Do you think valacyclovir would be worth trying in all patients with long

term CFS?

>

> Dr. Vernon: No. Not all CFS is triggered by EBV or viruses that can be treated

with Valtrex. As with any antimicrobial drug, there is the possibility of the

agent developing resistance. It is possible for EBV to develop resistance to

antivirals such as Valtrex.

>

[Guest guest]

20 years ago I had a short term trial with an anti viral. I don't think it was

Valtrex, but it did sound similar to the generic name. I didn't give it a fair

try then, but I would assume after 20 years there would be a generic anti viral

of one of these drugs.

>

> Q: Drugs like valacyclovir are too expensive to try. Are there options for

treatments for those without insurance? [Valacyclovir, brand name Valtrex, is an

antiviral drug that is active against the herpesvirus family including

Epstein-Barr]

>

> Dr. Vernon: No.

>

> * * * *

> Q: Do you think valacyclovir would be worth trying in all patients with long

term CFS?

>

> Dr. Vernon: No. Not all CFS is triggered by EBV or viruses that can be treated

with Valtrex. As with any antimicrobial drug, there is the possibility of the

agent developing resistance. It is possible for EBV to develop resistance to

antivirals such as Valtrex.

>

[Guest guest]

Is there anything TO do for EBV? I have a very high titre of that, and found

that out in 1988 when there was no anti-viral medication to try.

Thanks,

Doreen

From: CFAlliance-owner

Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 6:42 PM

To: CFAlliance

Subject: ME/CFS Research Expert Suzanne Vernon, PhD on Valtrex and

CFS

Q: Drugs like valacyclovir are too expensive to try. Are there options for

treatments for those without insurance? [Valacyclovir, brand name Valtrex, is an

antiviral drug that is active against the herpesvirus family including

Epstein-Barr]

Dr. Vernon: No.

* * * *

Q: Do you think valacyclovir would be worth trying in all patients with long

term CFS?

Dr. Vernon: No. Not all CFS is triggered by EBV or viruses that can be treated

with Valtrex. As with any antimicrobial drug, there is the possibility of the

agent developing resistance. It is possible for EBV to develop resistance to

antivirals such as Valtrex.

[Guest guest]

Is there anything TO do for EBV? I have a very high titre of that, and found

that out in 1988 when there was no anti-viral medication to try.

Thanks,

Doreen

From: CFAlliance-owner

Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 6:42 PM

To: CFAlliance

Subject: ME/CFS Research Expert Suzanne Vernon, PhD on Valtrex and

CFS

Q: Drugs like valacyclovir are too expensive to try. Are there options for

treatments for those without insurance? [Valacyclovir, brand name Valtrex, is an

antiviral drug that is active against the herpesvirus family including

Epstein-Barr]

Dr. Vernon: No.

* * * *

Q: Do you think valacyclovir would be worth trying in all patients with long

term CFS?

Dr. Vernon: No. Not all CFS is triggered by EBV or viruses that can be treated

with Valtrex. As with any antimicrobial drug, there is the possibility of the

agent developing resistance. It is possible for EBV to develop resistance to

antivirals such as Valtrex.

[Guest guest]

Could it have been acyclovir?

Acyclovir isn't absorbed very well, so valacyclovir was developed.

Valacyclovir, once absorbed, is converted by the body into acyclovir.

Also, valacyclovir only recently became generic in the United States, so

the price will most likely go down over time.

Steve M in PA, age 22

20 years ago I had a short term trial with an anti viral. I don't think it

was Valtrex, but it did sound similar to the generic name. I didn't give it

a fair try then, but I would assume after 20 years there would be a generic

anti viral of one of these drugs.