What Kind Of Medicine Is Used To Treat Shingles

Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug.

What kind of medicine is used to treat shingles. Seek early treatment mayo clinic health letter june 2002. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses including genital herpes cold sores and shingles herpes zoster in adults. Shingles is a painful condition. Shingles causes a painful rash that can be accompanied by fever fatigue and sensitivity to light.

Shingles causes inflammation and pain. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus to help the body fight the infection. While it may seem strange for your doctor to prescribe drugs for shingles that are commonly used to treat depression and prevent seizures shingles is at root a nerve disorder and these drugs. It is a viral infection which proves to affect the surface of the skin and can be quite difficult to manage.

July 25 2005 a new study offers insights into what helps and what does not help relieve long lasting shingles pain. In children it is used to treat cold sores around the mouth caused by herpes simplex and chickenpox caused by. There s no cure for shingles but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. Your doctor can suggest over the counter medicines to relieve milder discomfort.

National institute of neurologic disorders and stroke. Follow the links to read common uses side effects dosage details and read user reviews for the drugs. Valacyclovir is used to treat cold sores in children who are at least 12 years old or chickenpox in children who are at least. Acyclovir zovirax valacyclovir valtrex shingles can cause severe pain so your doctor also may prescribe.

These may also help you stave off postherpetic neuralgia. Below is a list of common medications used to treat or reduce the symptoms of shingles. Also known as herpes zoster shingles is caused by the virus known as varicella zoster the virus infects a nerve area and thus causes rash and pain along the area of skin supplied by the nerve which is affected. While antiviral medication is an effective treatment for shingles it s not the only option.