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Herpes Zoster

Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, the virus behind chickenpox, reactivates after lying dormant in nerve tissue. It causes a painful rash. Most adults had chickenpox as children, so the virus is widespread.

Medicines used to treat Herpes Zoster

Famvir

Famciclovir

250 · 500mg

Famvir contains famciclovir in film-coated tablets for herpes zoster, herpes simplex and genital herpes. It is supplied in multiple strengths and pack sizes. You see the price per tablet for each option.

FromUS$2.34/ tabletView

Valtrex

Valaciclovir

500 · 1000mg

Valtrex tablets contain valaciclovir for herpes zoster, herpes simplex and genital herpes. Valaciclovir is a prodrug converted to aciclovir. Several strengths are supplied, pack sizes are shown. You see the price per tablet for each option.

FromUS$2.55/ tabletView

Key points

  • Burning or shooting pain often starts before any rash is visible.
  • The rash most often appears on the chest or abdomen, on one side of the body.
  • Long-term nerve pain, called postherpetic neuralgia, is the most common serious complication.

Symptoms

Blisters form in the affected area and crust over, usually settling within two to four weeks. The skin may be tender, and some people notice itching or tingling rather than pain.

Treatment

Antiviral tablets shorten the illness and ease the pain. They work best when started as soon as the rash appears. Two options are Famvir (famciclovir) 250 mg and 500 mg tablets and Valtrex (valaciclovir) 500 mg and 1000 mg tablets. The ingredients have their own pages, famciclovir and valaciclovir, and related medicines are grouped under antivirals. Pharmacy partners in India ship orders to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

When to get medical help

Urgent assessment is needed if the rash affects the eye or nose, or if vision changes. The same applies to anyone with a severely weakened immune system, to pregnant women and to people aged 17 or under. Weakness on one side of the face also needs prompt attention.

What the sources say

  • Around one in three people in the United States will have shingles at some point, with about a million cases a year (CDC).
  • The rash can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, eyes and genitals (NHS).
  • Treatment depends on how severe symptoms are and whether complications are likely (NHS).

Further reading

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