Do Antivirals Interfere With Stool Testing?

Valacyclovir, acyclovir, and similar drugs are antivirals drug prescribed for oral herpes, genital herpes, and other viral infection. Antivirals work by inhibiting the enzymes required for viral DNA replication.

I don’t recommend using drugs like valacyclovir or other medicines with highly specific, potent activity. I don’t expect that antivirals would have any effect on a stool test, so I have no concerns in that regard. Probiotics can interfere with stool testing, so discontinue them about 14 days before taking the samples. Although antivirals don’t interfere with stool tests, I still don’t recommend them to my clients. I’m not very happy to see my patients on antivirals because I have concerns about prolonged exposure to synthetic medications.

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If an antiviral is being considered, another option is to take L-lysine, an amino acid that inhibits viral replication. L-lysine has no side effects. It is not uncommon for people with herpes to follow a high L-lysine diet to help prevent a recurrence. Taking the amino-acid L-arginine out of your diet can also help because L-arginine stimulates viral replication. Chocolate and nut are examples of foods that are high in arginine.

I believe that people don’t need to take synthetic drugs like valacyclovir or acyclovir when there are natural alternatives. I don’t think it’s possible to get away scot-free if you take drugs on a prolonged basis. Even if the target is a virus or another type of infection, other bodily systems are affected by pharmaceutical medication. My concern is that the long-term cost of being on prescription medication may be much higher than any short-term benefit.

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