Is acyclovir as effective as Valtrex in treating shingles?

Helper

New member
I'm asking because I had shingles 2 years ago on my face and around the eyelid--a bad case. I just had cataract eye surgery and my doctor put me on acyclovir 5 days ahead of the surgery as a precaution and on an anti inflammatory eyedrops too. The eye is doing great. My concern is, I have a 'red bump' on my trunk area just below the ribcage and bra line that is like a 'pimple' and it itches and burns off and on. This appeared two days ago (one week after my surgery). I'm still on the acyclovir and I read where it's used in the treatment of shingles too. When I had shingles, I took Valtrex 1000 mg. 3 x's a day and this acyclovir is 400 mg. 2 x's a day.
I am hoping if this is another attack of shingles that the acyclovir is stopping it or making it a less severe case. I'm using cortizone creme on it and I'm very comfortable and no other bumps have appeared. Stress is a cause of outbreaks of shingles and we've spent day and night at the hospital with a sick family member so that's why I'm wondering if it could be shingles or just a bite or insignificant skin lesion. It is better today and not itching as much. Any thoughts? thanks.:confused:
 
I looked Acyclovir up in my prescription book. If you have shingles, it will indeed help but a common side effect is simple rash. You may want to keep an eye on it. I had a bad ankle rash caused from a spider bite that required prescription strength hydrocortizone cream because the regular was not strong enough.

If it starts to lump up with fluid or white in the center, or begins to turn purple, or even spreads out (sort of like the veins in a leaf), it may be a serious allergic reaction to something. Mine did and it was a reaction to spider venom.

Best of luck and keep us posted!

Lindaru :)
 
Thanks. The 'bump' is already alot better. Guess it was just one of those unexplained things or a bite. Or, if it was shingles trying to break out, perhaps the acyclovir 'zonked it'! Great!
yanksgirl
 
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