Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. Common symptoms include a painful blistering rash extending across a path to the middle of the body. Treatments include antiviral medications to help the body fight the virus and medications to treat symptoms, such as pain.
Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medications directly fight the virus causing shingles. Acyclovir is a commonly used antiviral medication that stops the virus from replicating. Common side effects include headaches and gastrointestinal complaints. Other similar drugs include valacyclovir and famciclovir. Valacyclovir may reduce the duration of nerve pain from shingles compared to acyclovir according to an article published in 2007 in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology."
Pain Medications
Antiviral medications have some effect on decreasing the pain of shingles, but pain medications may be prescribed to alleviate this symptom. Mild pain can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. More severe pain can be addressed with opioids such as codeine, or for stronger pain, oxycodone. The drug gabapentin is approved for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia, a condition in which nerve pain persists after the outbreak of shingles subsides.
Steroids
Steroids, such as prednisone, may help decrease the intensity of acute pain from shingles. However, they do not lower the rate of post-herpetic neuralgia, and they are associated with a greater risk of complications. In addition, people who get shingles tend to be older and have higher rates of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and glaucoma, all of which are worsened by steroids.
References
- "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology"; Management of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia; Stephen K. Tyring, MD, PhD; December 2007
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" Anthony S. Fauci; 17th Ed. 2008
