Shingles Treatments and Medications

After having chickenpox, this virus may remain dormant for many years before any symptoms of shingles appear. The first sign of shingles is a painful rash, usually on one side of your body or face.

Although preventable by vaccine, shingles is common in the United States. There are more than 200,000 cases of shingles every year. Half of these cases occur in older adults over the age of 60, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of shingles are treatable, however, the virus is not yet curable.

In this article, we’ll explain the different types of shingles treatment that your healthcare provider may prescribe or recommend, including topical creams, oral medications, the shingles vaccine, and other pain relief tips you can try at home.

Your primary care provider can diagnose shingles. However, if symptoms appear in the eye, then you might need to see an ophthalmologist.

Shingles can usually be diagnosed with a simple physical exam, as symptoms are usually distinctive. However, if your symptoms are atypical, your doctor may send a tissue scraping or culture from the blisters to the lab for testing. Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or saliva tests may be necessary if you have nerve pain without a skin rash.

Your healthcare provider may also ask the following questions to help confirm the diagnosis:

Even though shingles is not completely curable, your doctor will be able to prescribe a medication to relieve your pain and shorten the duration of your symptoms. To get rid of shingles fast, antiviral drugs may alleviate symptoms within three days, according to The National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This antiviral medication reduces the severity and duration of shingles episodes. It helps blisters heal faster while preventing new blisters from developing. It also relieves symptoms like burning and itching.

Zovirax (acyclovir) is available as an oral tablet, capsule, or liquid that’s taken up to five times a day. It’s also available as a topical cream that’s applied every three to four hours.

Digestion-related side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, may occur. Headaches are also common.

Like acyclovir, valacyclovir helps stop the growth of viral infections. It is not a cure for shingles, but it relieves painful symptoms of shingles rashes while preventing new blisters from forming.

It is available as an oral tablet only in the following strengths: 1 gm and 500 mg. Your healthcare provider will determine the right dosage for you depending on your condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. You should drink plenty of water while taking Valtrex (valacyclovir).

Nausea and stomach pain may occur. Valtrex (valacyclovir) might also make you feel lightheaded. Tell your doctor if these side effects continue or worsen.

Like the antiviral medications above, Famvir (famciclovir) cannot cure shingles but it can reduce the pain and duration of symptoms. It could also prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the body.

Famvir (famciclovir) is available as a tablet in strengths of 125 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg. It is taken by mouth, usually two to three times per day at the first sign of a shingles outbreak.

Common side effects of this antiviral medication include headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Shingrix contains inactivated varicella-zoster, which aids the body’s production of more antibodies than are necessary to fight the virus with a stronger immune system response. As an inactive vaccine, it may be administered to patients with compromised immune systems. It reduces the risk of getting shingles by more than 90% and it’s effective for five years.

Two doses are required for Shingrix to be effective. The second dose should be injected within two to six months of the first dose. Both doses are injected into the muscle. It’s recommended for patients who are at least 50 years old.

Normal side effects include muscle pain, tiredness, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms. An allergic reaction is possible. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, or severe dizziness.

Zostavax contains a live but weakened version of the varicella-zoster virus. Although 19 times stronger than the chickenpox vaccine, Zostavax is less effective than Shingrix. It reduces the risk of shingles by 51% and of prolonged pain by 67%. However, your doctor may prefer that you receive the Zostavax vaccine instead of Shingrix, so consult your healthcare provider for medical advice first.

Only one dose of Zostavax is required. It’s recommended for patients who are at least 60 years old.

Zostavax causes fewer side effects than Shingrix. Injection site reactions are the most common side effect, but a headache, diarrhea, and body aches are also possible. You can get Shingrix at your local pharmacy but be aware this medication is often on backorder and not on the shelves so you may have to shop different pharmacies to see which has Shingrix in stock.

Dosage is determined by your healthcare provider based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight.

Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.

This is not a full list of side effects. Ask a healthcare professional, such as your physician or pharmacist, for more details regarding the possible side effects of your particular medication.

Postherpetic neuralgia is more common in the following patients:

Besides chronic pain, symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia include depression, insomnia, suppressed appetite, and attention deficits. Fortunately, there are home remedies, over-the-counter products, and prescription medications that offer pain relief to these symptoms. Here’s a long list of treatments:

The second risk factor of shingles is immunity. If your immune system is weakened by illness or medication, you are at risk for contracting shingles or experiencing another shingles episode. Fortunately, you can naturally strengthen your immune system with the right diet and vitamins.

Citrus fruits, green vegetables, organic meat, eggs, whole grains, and dairy products are all part of a healthy diet. You should avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, and arginine-rich foods, like nuts and seeds.

Additionally, take a multivitamin that includes vitamin A, B-12, C, and E. The amino acid lysine is also protective against infection. Many people over the age of 60 are deficient in zinc, selenium, and vitamin D. You may need to incorporate these supplements into your daily routine as well. Ask your healthcare provider for recommendations as to which vitamins and supplements you need.

The third risk factor for shingles is an unhealthy lifestyle. Stress, smoking, and sedentary living can weaken anyone’s immune system and cause a slew of medical conditions. To protect your immune system and prevent another shingles episode, you may have to employ relaxation methods, join a smoking cessation support group, or incorporate more exercise into your everyday life.

The virus cannot be passed to someone who has already had chickenpox because they already have the virus. If they experience shingles, it’s because they already had the virus—not because they came into contact with you.

You can go to work, school, and other public places with shingles as long as you’re otherwise healthy. However, you should take precautions and keep the shingles rash covered, regularly wash your hands, and avoid at-risk people. Infants, children, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk for contracting a virus, like shingles, than other people.