References
Bansal R, Tutrone WD, Weinberg JM. Viral skin infections in the elderly: diagnosis and management. Drugs Aging 2002; 19(7): 503–14
Gnann Jr JW, Whitley RJ. Herpes zoster. N Engl J Med 2002 Aug 1; 347(5): 340–6
Nikkels AF, Piérard GE. Oral antivirals revisited in the treatment of herpes zoster: what do they accomplish? Am J Clin Dermatol 2002; 3(9): 591–8
Santee JA. Corticosteroids for herpes zoster: what do they accomplish? Am J Clin Dermatol 2002; 3(8): 517–24
Kost RG, Straus SE. Postherpetic neuralgia: pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention. N Engl J Med 1996; 335: 32–42
British National Formulary. No. 44. London: the Pharmaceutical Press, 2002 Sep
Morton P, Thomson AN. Oral acyclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster in general practice. NZ Med J 1989 Mar 8; 102(863): 93–5
Huff JC, Bean B, Balfour Jr HH, et al. Therapy of herpes zoster with oral acyclovir. Am J Med 1988 Aug 29; 85(2A): 84–9
McKendrick MW, McGill JI, White JE, et al. Oral acyclovir in acute herpes zoster. Br Med J 1986 Dec 13; 293(6561): 1529–32
Tyring S, Barbarash RA, Nahlik JE, et al. Famciclovir for the treatment of acute herpes zoster: effects on acute disease and postherpetic neuralgia. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Collaboratvie famciclovir herpes zoster study group. Ann Intern Med 1995 Jul 15; 123(2): 89–96
Beutner KR, Friedman DJ, Forszpaniak C, et al. Valaciclovir compared with acyclovir for improved therapy for herpes zoster in immunocompetent adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1995 Jul; 39(7): 1546–53
Tyring SK, Beutner KR, Tucker BA, et al. Antiviral therapy for herpes zoster: randomized, controlled clinical trial of valacyclovir and famciclovir therapy in immunocompetent patients 50 years and older. Arch Fam Med 2000; 9(9): 863–9
Wood MJ, Johnson RW, McKendrick MW, et al. A randomized trial of acyclovir for 7 days or 21 days with and without prednisolone for treatment of acute herpes zoster. N Engl J Med 1994; 330: 896–900
Whitley RJ, Weiss H, Gnann W, et al. Acyclovir with and without prednisone for the treatment of herpes zoster. Ann Intern Med 1996; 125: 376–83
Dworkin RH, Perkins FM, Nagasako EM. Prospects for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia in herpes zoster patients. Clin J Pain 2000 Jun; 16(2 Suppl.): S90–100
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oral antivirals are a key therapy for herpes zoster but do they reliably prevent postherpetic neuralgia?. Drugs Ther. Perspect 19, 14–18 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2165/00042310-200319100-00005
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00042310-200319100-00005