Symptom Finder - Treatment of Herpes Zoster
HERPES ZOSTER
Acute:
1. Valacyclovir (Valtrex): 1,000 mg tid × 7 days.
2. Famciclovir (Famvir): 500 mg tid × 7 days.
3. Acyclovir (Zovirax): 800 mg 5× a day × 7 days.
4. May use prednisone 60 mg daily for severe neuralgia, but must not use for extended period of time (more than 1 week) and cover with antiviral therapy during each use.
Postherpetic Neuralgia:
1. Amitriptyline (Elavil): 50–150 mg h.s.
2. Gabapentin (Neurontin): 300–1,200 mg tid.
3. Pregabalin (Lyrica): 50–100 mg tid.
4. Lidocaine patch 5% (Lidoderm): over painful area q12hrs.
Prophylaxis:
1. Herpes Zoster vaccine (Zostavax) especially useful in the elderly: 0.65 cc SC.
Acute:
1. Valacyclovir (Valtrex): 1,000 mg tid × 7 days.
2. Famciclovir (Famvir): 500 mg tid × 7 days.
3. Acyclovir (Zovirax): 800 mg 5× a day × 7 days.
4. May use prednisone 60 mg daily for severe neuralgia, but must not use for extended period of time (more than 1 week) and cover with antiviral therapy during each use.
Postherpetic Neuralgia:
1. Amitriptyline (Elavil): 50–150 mg h.s.
2. Gabapentin (Neurontin): 300–1,200 mg tid.
3. Pregabalin (Lyrica): 50–100 mg tid.
4. Lidocaine patch 5% (Lidoderm): over painful area q12hrs.
Prophylaxis:
1. Herpes Zoster vaccine (Zostavax) especially useful in the elderly: 0.65 cc SC.