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Acyclovir in herpes zoster treatment

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

If oral acyclovir is used within 48 hours of the onset of the rash it reduces:

  • the acute pain during treatment
  • the time when lesions form by about 12 hours
  • the time until loss of vesicles and full crusting

In two smaller trials oral acyclovir:

  • may have been effective if used within 72 hours of onset of the rash
  • reduced post-herpetic neuralgia

Reference:

  • Wood MJ et al (1988). Am J Med, 85(2a), 79-83
  • Huff JC et Al (1988). Am J Med, 85 (2a), 84-9
  • Morton P et al (1989) New Zealand Medical Journal, 102, 93-5

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