›Reserved for acyclovir-resistant VZV in immunocompromised patients
›Monitor renal function and electrolytes closely
›Mild pain
›Acetaminophen 500–1,000 mg PO q4–6h as needed
›Maximum 4 g/day in healthy adults
›Reduce to 2 g/day with hepatic impairment or alcohol use
›NSAIDs: ibuprofen 400–600 mg PO q6–8h with food
›Caution in renal impairment, elderly, and those on antivirals with nephrotoxicity potential
›Moderate to severe acute pain
›Short-course opioids
›Oxycodone 5 mg PO q4–6h as needed for breakthrough pain
›Lowest effective dose for shortest duration
›Re-evaluate at 3–5 days; avoid prolonged use
›Gabapentin for neuropathic component
›Start 300 mg PO TID; titrate up to 1,800–3,600 mg/day in divided doses
›Renal dose adjustment required
›Reduces acute and subacute zoster pain
›Pregabalin alternative
›75 mg PO BID; titrate to 150 mg BID as tolerated
›Renal dose adjustment required
›Adjuvant for PHN prevention
›Amitriptyline 25 mg PO at bedtime
›One RCT showed reduced pain at 6 months
›ECG before initiation in elderly: QT prolongation risk
›Start low, titrate slowly; anticholinergic caution in elderly
›Topical lidocaine 5% patch
›Apply to most painful area for up to 12 hours per 24-hour period
›For localized neuropathic pain
›Minimal systemic absorption
›Corticosteroids
›Prednisone 60 mg PO daily tapering over 21 days when combined with antivirals
›May improve acute quality of life and reduce acute neuritis
›Does NOT prevent postherpetic neuralgia
›Avoid in immunocompromised patients without antiviral coverage
›Caution: hypertension, diabetes, peptic ulcer disease
Ophthalmic zoster treatment
›Topical ophthalmic agents (in consultation with ophthalmology)
›Topical corticosteroid drops for stromal keratitis or anterior uveitis
›Topical antiviral drops not required for VZV (unlike HSV keratitis)
›Lubricating drops for ocular surface protection
›Intraocular pressure management
›Topical beta-blocker or carbonic anhydrase inhibitor if IOP elevated
›IV acyclovir preferred for severe HZO with vision-threatening complications
Ramsay Hunt syndrome treatment
›Combined antiviral and corticosteroid regimen
›Valacyclovir 1,000 mg PO TID for 7 days plus prednisone 60 mg daily tapering over 21 days
›Combined therapy superior to antivirals alone for facial nerve recovery
›Cochrane review supports combined regimen (Uscategui 2008)
›Facial nerve protection
›Eye patching or moisture chamber if eye closure incomplete
›Lubricating eye drops and nighttime eye ointment
›Vestibular rehabilitation if vertigo persists
›Lesion care
›Keep lesions clean and dry
›Calamine lotion for itch and comfort
›Cover vesicular lesions to reduce transmission to susceptible contacts
›Avoid topical antibiotics unless bacterial superinfection confirmed
Postherpetic neuralgia treatment
›First-line agents for established PHN
›Gabapentin 300 mg TID titrated to 1,800–3,600 mg/day
›ACEP Level B evidence for neuropathic pain in PHN
›Reduce dose in renal impairment
›Pregabalin 75–150 mg BID titrated to 300 mg BID
›Tricyclic antidepressants: nortriptyline 10–25 mg at bedtime preferred over amitriptyline in elderly
›Fewer anticholinergic effects than amitriptyline
›Titrate to effect over weeks
›Second-line and adjuvant options
›Topical lidocaine 5% patch for localized PHN
›Capsaicin 8% patch: applied by trained provider, significant pain reduction
›Opioids: tramadol or oxycodone as last resort with specialist oversight
Vaccination for prevention
›Shingrix recombinant zoster vaccine
›Two-dose series recommended for adults 50 years and older
›97% efficacy in preventing herpes zoster in adults 50–69
›Defer vaccination approximately 3 years after acute episode in immunocompetent patients
›AAAAI 2026 guidelines support Shingrix for all immunocompetent older adults