Can Valtrex Be Used To Treat Shingles

Herpes zoster commonly referred to as shingles and postherpetic neuralgia result from reactivation of the varicella zoster virus acquired during the primary varicella infection or chickenpox.

Can valtrex be used to treat shingles.

Suppression of recurrent herpes simplex. Because shingles is a herpes virus it can be treated using the same medication as other types of herpes such as hsv 1 or hsv 2. Prevent recurrent herpes simplex infection. Valacyclovir valtrex shingles can cause severe pain so your doctor also may prescribe.

The short answer to is valacyclovir valtrex used for shingles is yes. However it will not change the length or severity of postherpetic neuralgia. Antiviral medications such as acyclovir zovirax famciclovir famvir and valacyclovir valtrex may ease the discomfort and may reduce the duration of the symptoms particularly if started within 72 hours of the first sign of shingles. This means that medications such as valacyclovir valtrex are effective in treating shingles and commonly prescribed by doctors.

In adults the virus can reactivate and cause painful outbreaks of shingles that can last for several weeks. The medication is not a cure for shingles as the virus will always remain in your body and may become active again. What conditions does valtrex treat. When valtrex is used to treat shingles it can help the rash heal more quickly.

Numbing agents such as lidocaine delivered via a cream gel spray or skin patch. Valacyclovir commonly sold as valtrex is one of the most widely used and effective drugs on the market for treating and controlling cold sores shingles and genital herpes. Valtrex valacyclovir is an antiviral drug. Capsaicin topical patch qutenza anticonvulsants such as gabapentin neurontin tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline.

There is no cure for shingles but there are treatments for managing the symptoms. Valtrex valacyclovir and famvir famciclovir are antiviral drugs used to treat infections with shingles herpes zoster genital herpes herpes simplex genitalis and cold sores herpes labialis. Side effects of valtrex and famvir that are similar include headache nausea vomiting reduced white blood cells diarrhea and rash. While valacyclovir isn t a cure for herpes it can help to treat the physical symptoms of hsv 1 and hsv 2.

Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses including genital herpes cold sores and shingles herpes zoster in adults. Valacyclovir is used to treat cold sores in children who are at least 12 years old or chickenpox in children who are at least 2 years old.