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Antivirals for Treatment of Shingles

A group of antiviral drugs are used as part of the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster). This is the element of shingles management that directly targets the virus; other treatments manage pain and limit nerve damage.

  1. Types

    • Three different antiviral medications are commonly used in the treatment of shingles: acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir.

    Considerations

    • For people with HIV who have developed resistance to the antiviral acyclovir, forscarnet can be used to manage shingles, according to the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETC).

    Features

    • Valacyclovir uses acyclovir as its active ingredient, while famciclovir uses penciclovir as its active ingredient, according to Seth John Stankus and colleagues of the Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

    Time Frame

    • The length of a course of antiviral drugs is 7 to 10 days, according to Stankus and colleagues.

    Effects

    • Valacyclovir and famciclovir deliver their active ingredients more effectively than acyclovir, Stankus and his associates report. This means they can be taken fewer times throughout the day than acyclovir.

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