Which antiviral medications are used for herpes zoster?

Which antiviral medications are used for herpes zoster?

• A. Acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir
• B. Amoxicillin
• C. Fluconazole
• D. Doxycycline

Answer: (C)

Herpes zoster is treated with antiviral medications that inhibit viral replication, helping to shorten the illness and lessen pain when started early. The drugs that effectively treat varicella-zoster virus in this setting are acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir. They are nucleoside analogs that inhibit viral DNA polymerase, reducing viral DNA synthesis. Valacyclovir is a prodrug with better oral bioavailability than acyclovir, and famciclovir is converted in the body to an active agent (penciclovir). For otherwise healthy adults, these can be given orally for about a week, ideally started within 72 hours of rash onset to maximize benefit; in more severe disease, ocular involvement, or immunocompromised patients, intravenous acyclovir is used. The other listed drugs are not antivirals for this infection—amoxicillin and doxycycline are antibiotics, and fluconazole is an antifungal.

Herpes zoster is treated with antiviral medications that inhibit viral replication, helping to shorten the illness and lessen pain when started early. The drugs that effectively treat varicella-zoster virus in this setting are acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir. They are nucleoside analogs that inhibit viral DNA polymerase, reducing viral DNA synthesis. Valacyclovir is a prodrug with better oral bioavailability than acyclovir, and famciclovir is converted in the body to an active agent (penciclovir). For otherwise healthy adults, these can be given orally for about a week, ideally started within 72 hours of rash onset to maximize benefit; in more severe disease, ocular involvement, or immunocompromised patients, intravenous acyclovir is used. The other listed drugs are not antivirals for this infection—amoxicillin and doxycycline are antibiotics, and fluconazole is an antifungal.