“Need help with dosage of acyclovir for active symptoms?”
I take acyclovir for diagnoses of herpes simplex 1 on the backs of my thighs. I had two bumps appear on my thighs, I put a band-aid on them because they looked raw. Now I'm having a bump on the other thigh and one in the upper groin and one on but cheek. The pain is unbearable. I am taking 400 mg every six hours, is there anything else I can do?
Female | 57 years old
Complaint duration: 7 days or more
Medications: Amlodipine, acyclovir and Metoprolol
Conditions: High bp
4 Answers
Could be acyclovir resistant and Foscarnet may be indicated
Thanks for the question.
First, you want to know if this is Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster. You might require a higher dose of Valacyclovir, like a gram three times a day. There are other anti-Herpes drugs, but they have more toxicity, so those must be discussed with your doctor. Second, you want to be sure these are not boils, which are bacterial and would also hurt, or perhaps bacterial impetigo. Your doctor would have to look at them to decide. Third, there are lidocaine patches and ointments to apply to ease the pain, if these are indeed hermetic. Oral analgesics are of minimal help, but a true shingles pain can sometimes be mitigated by Gabapentin.
First, you want to know if this is Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster. You might require a higher dose of Valacyclovir, like a gram three times a day. There are other anti-Herpes drugs, but they have more toxicity, so those must be discussed with your doctor. Second, you want to be sure these are not boils, which are bacterial and would also hurt, or perhaps bacterial impetigo. Your doctor would have to look at them to decide. Third, there are lidocaine patches and ointments to apply to ease the pain, if these are indeed hermetic. Oral analgesics are of minimal help, but a true shingles pain can sometimes be mitigated by Gabapentin.
Please talk to your doctor about neuromodulators for pain eg Pregablin or Gabapentin
You need to see your dermatologist for this.
Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD, FAAD
Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD, FAAD
