Shingles: Treatments

How is shingles treated?

There is no cure for shingles, but antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of the disease. Antiviral medications can also reduce the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia, which is a serious complication of shingles. Antiviral medications include:

• Acyclovir

• Famcyclovir

• Valcyclovir

• Other medications that may be used to treat shingles include:

• Antidepressant medications, which can help reduce pain

• Corticosteroids, which may reduce the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia, although this treatment is controversial

• Pain medications

What are the possible complications of shingles?

Untreated shingles can lead to serious complications. People with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for developing serious complications of shingles including:

• Bacterial skin infections such as impetigo

• Ear pain

• Facial paralysis

• Meningitis

• Permanent eye damage and impaired vision

• Postherpetic neuralgia, which is shingles pain that lingers for months or even years

You can best treat shingles and lower your risk of complications by following the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you.