How long do shingles last with valacyclovir?

Doctors, for example, may prescribe the medication valaciclovir (Valtrex) when you have shingles to help reduce the duration of your symptoms. Valtrex is an antiviral medication that can help stop the shingles virus from replicating. The symptoms of shingles can last anywhere between 3 and 5 weeks .

How long does valacyclovir take to work for shingles?

It may take up to three days before a reduction in symptoms occurs. Even if symptoms fully abate, valacyclovir should be taken until the prescribed course has been completed. Best started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset.

How long does it take Valtrex to clear up an outbreak of shingles?

Valacyclovir is usually prescribed for seven days for shingles, with a typical dosage of 1,000 mg three times per day. Just like with HSV-1 and HSV-2, it's important to start treatment as soon as you notice shingles symptoms.

How long do shingles last with antiviral medication?

Antiviral treatment typically lasts for one week. Pain medications — The pain related to shingles can be severe, and medications are frequently needed.

Does valacyclovir get rid of shingles?

Although valacyclovir will not cure shingles or genital herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores heal faster. Valacyclovir is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Shingles Treatment Valacyclovir

How do you know shingles are healing?

The blisters will scab over and begin to heal, which takes from 1 to 3 weeks, unless the rash is on your scalp in which case it can take several months. As they heal, the blisters become smaller and less painful, generally over a period of 3 to 5 weeks.

Does shingles get worse before it gets better?

Typically, the peak pain of shingles is felt within 4 or 5 days after the first symptoms develop, and it comes along with a blistering rash. As the blisters scab over, the pain usually starts to disappear. In some cases, the pain does not go away. This is known as a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.

How do you know if Valtrex is working?

It can take up to seven to 10 days for Valtrex to start working for some people, while others may feel relief from their symptoms after a day or two. The amount of time it takes your symptoms to go away will depend on your age, the severity of your symptoms, and your metabolism.

How painful is shingles on a scale of 1 to 10?

“Shingles is extremely painful," Wigand-Bolling said. “On a scale from one to 10, most patients will say the pain ranges from six to 10.” Between 1 and 5 days after the first symptoms occur, a rash will develop in the affected area.

What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Valtrex (Valacyclovir)? Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to help keep you from spreading the herpes virus to others. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes.

What are the final stages of shingles?

The stages of shingles are tingling pain, followed by a burning feeling and a red rash, then blistering, and finally the blisters will crust over.

How fast does valacyclovir start working?

For most initial herpes outbreaks and cases of recurring herpes, valacyclovir takes effect very quickly and provides some level of relief in as little as two to three days. Generally, the sooner you take valacyclovir after noticing symptoms, the faster it will be to provide relief.

What painkiller is best for shingles?

For shingles pain, start with NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You can find these over the counter on pharmacy store shelves, and they include popular medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Can I spread shingles on myself?

Answer: Shingles cannot spread from one person to another. However, the virus that causes shingles (varicella-zoster virus) can spread from a person with active shingles to someone who is not immune to chickenpox (most people have had a chickenpox infection or vaccinated against chickenpox).

How do you sleep with shingles?

Does Valtrex speed up healing?

Valtrex isn't a cure, and it can't stop you from getting cold sores in the future. But it can slow the growth of the virus enough to help your sores heal faster and shorten the duration of a flare-up. It can also decrease itching and pain.

How long do the shingles last?

How long does shingles last? Most cases of shingles last three to five weeks. The first sign is often burning or tingling pain; sometimes it includes numbness or itching on one side of the body. Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear.

Do shingles hurt more at night?

It can be constant or intermittent and may get worse at night or in reaction to heat or cold. The pain can result in fatigue, sleep disturbance, anorexia, depression and, in general, a lowering of quality of life.

Is bed rest good for shingles?

Treatment for Shingles

The physicians at UCLA Dermatology may recommend one or more of the following options: Painkillers to relieve pain. Antiviral drugs to help reduce symptoms and minimize nerve damage. Bed rest, especially during the early phase of shingles and if fever is present.

Can I take valacyclovir and Tylenol together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between Tylenol and valacyclovir. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

How long does nerve pain last with shingles?

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can last for weeks, months, or in some people, years after the shingles rash goes away. In most people, shingles pain goes away in one to three months. However, in one in five people, pain lasts more than one year.

Why is my shingles pain getting worse?

Postherpetic neuralgia occurs if your nerve fibers are damaged during an outbreak of shingles. Damaged fibers can't send messages from your skin to your brain as they normally do. Instead, the messages become confused and exaggerated, causing chronic, often excruciating pain that can last months — or even years.

What happens if you take valacyclovir everyday?

A new study shows that daily therapy with the antiviral drug Valtrex significantly lowers the risk of transmitting genital herpes among heterosexual couples in which one partner is infected with the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Does valacyclovir make you gain weight?

Valtrex (valacyclovir) and other antiviral medications can only treat the symptoms associated with herpes infections and shorten outbreaks. Does Valtrex (valacyclovir) make you gain weight? Weight changes are not commonly reported with the use of Valtrex (valacyclovir).

What are the long term side effects of valacyclovir?

Taken long term, particularly in people with existing kidney issues and/or inadequate hydration, valacyclovir can lead to renal toxicity and kidney failure. It can also lead to inflammation of the liver in certain people, particularly those with existing liver health issues.