Valaciclovir: Effects, Uses & Risks

Valaciclovir is one of the most commonly used agents to combat herpes simplex virus infection and shingles. The drug is incorporated into numerous preparations, is a prodrug, and is considered a virostatic agent. What is valaciclovir? Valaciclovir is a prodrug of aciclovir used in the therapy of herpes infections and shingles. The term prodrug is … Valaciclovir: Effects, Uses & Risks

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Symptoms The disease begins with symptoms similar to a cold or flu, with elevated temperature, fever, feeling sick, weakness, and fatigue. Within about 24 hours, the typical rash appears all over the body and develops within a few days. It is initially blotchy and then filled blisters form, which break open and crust over. The … Chickenpox (Varicella)

Cold Sores Causes and Treatment

Symptoms Cold sores manifest as fluid-filled blisters that appear in groups around the lips. An episode begins with tightening, itching, burning, pulling, and tingling before the skin affection becomes visible. As the episode progresses, the vesicles coalesce, break open, crust over, and heal. The lesions, some of which are painful, can also occur on other … Cold Sores Causes and Treatment

Valaciclovir

Products Valaciclovir is commercially available in the form of film-coated tablets (Valtrex, generic). It has been approved in many countries since 1995. Structure and properties Valaciclovir (C13H20N6O4, Mr = 324.3 g/mol) is the ester of the natural amino acid valine and the antiviral drug aciclovir. It is present in drugs as valaciclovir hydrochloride, a white … Valaciclovir

Prodrugs

What are prodrugs? Not all active pharmaceutical ingredients are directly active. Some must first be converted to the active substance by an enzymatic or non-enzymatic conversion step in the body. These are the so-called . The term was introduced by Adrien Albert in 1958. It is estimated that up to 10% of all active ingredients … Prodrugs

Aciclovir Effects and Side Effects

Products Aciclovir is commercially available as film-coated tablets, cream, aciclovir lip cream, injectable, and suspension (Zovirax, generic). This article refers to the film-coated tablets. Aciclovir eye ointment is currently no longer marketed in many countries. Aciclovir was developed in the 1970s by the British company Burroughs Wellcome (Elion et al. 1977). It has been approved … Aciclovir Effects and Side Effects

Genital Herpes Causes and Treatment

Symptoms A distinction is made between initial infection and subsequent reactivation. After an incubation period of a few days, flu-like symptoms such as fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, headache, nausea, and muscle pain may occur. The actual genital herpes occurs, with reddened skin or mucous membrane, swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes, and single … Genital Herpes Causes and Treatment

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Symptoms Postherpetic neuralgia manifests as localizable and unilateral pain in the area that was affected by shingles, increased tenderness (allodynia1) and pruritus. The pain character is described as itchy, burning, sharp, stabbing, and throbbing, among others. The discomfort occurs even though the shingles has healed and can sometimes last for months and even years. The … Postherpetic Neuralgia

Homeopathy against shingles | Medicines for shingles

Homeopathy against shingles Homeopathic remedies have a supportive effect in some cases. Depending on the symptoms, certain homeopathic remedies can have a soothing effect alongside other medications. Arsenicum album is used for anxiety, restlessness and severe itching. If shingles manifests itself in large blisters, swelling and itching, Apis mellifica is recommended. The application should be … Homeopathy against shingles | Medicines for shingles

Medicines for shingles

Introduction Shingles is caused by so-called herpes zoster viruses. These are caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus. This virus triggers chickenpox when first infected. Afterwards the viruses remain in the body. Usually they rest there and do not cause any symptoms. However, they can be reactivated decades after the initial infection. This can happen due … Medicines for shingles

What over-the-counter drugs are available? | Medicines for shingles

What over-the-counter drugs are available? Most of the drugs used for symptomatic treatment are available without a prescription. However, their use should still be discussed with the treating physician. Many ointments that dry out the weeping blisters are available without a prescription. Zinc ointments are often used. Tea tree oil and most homeopathic remedies are … What over-the-counter drugs are available? | Medicines for shingles