Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
Oral antiviral medication, such as acyclovir (Zovirax®), valacyclovir (Valtrex®), or famciclovir (Famvir®) may help if given within 72 hours after shingles lesions first appear. These medicines do not cure shingles, but they can decrease the amount of time you have pain and a rash. Antiviral medications may also decrease your chance of getting postherpetic neuralgia at a later time and may decrease your risk of developing visual problems if you have shingles on the face.
Oral corticosteroids and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may also be given to control pain. If the area is healed but you still have pain, a topical medication called capsaicin or a local anesthetic patch containing lidocaine may be suggested.
If you have shingles on your face, your doctor will likely send you to an eye specialist to evaluate if the virus is affecting your eye.
In 2006, the FDA approved a zoster vaccine (Zostavax®) to prevent shingles. It is recommended for anyone over the age of 60, regardless of whether they have had shingles before or not. It is one injection, and typically the only side effect is mild pain at the injection site. Zostavax has been shown to decrease the number of people who get shingles by about 50%. Of the people who still get shingles even after the vaccine, two-thirds fewer will be affected by postherpetic neuralgia.
Self-Care Guidelines
