This is an automatically translated article.
Article written by Pharmacist Hoang Tra Linh - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Shingles is a reactivated form of the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. The typical symptom of the disease is a rash in the form of small blisters on the chest, abdomen, one side of the torso or face, causing pain for the patient. Although the risk of affecting the fetus when the mother has shingles is very low, but pregnant women also need to be diagnosed and treated early to limit complications.
1.If a pregnant woman has shingles, what drugs should be used to treat it?
General principles in the treatment of shingles in pregnant women are similar to those in normal patients with the main drugs including: antiviral drugs, drugs to treat symptoms and drugs to treat complications.
Antiviral drugs: There are 3 antiviral drugs, acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) that are recommended in the treatment of shingles. However, oral acyclovir (800 mg/time x 5 times/day) is preferred for pregnant women with shingles over the other two antiviral drugs because the drug has many safety data studied on this subject. . Symptomatic treatment: Although antiviral medications can relieve acute pain from neuritis, the symptoms of shingles can still be very severe. Paracetamol is the first priority for pregnant women to relieve mild to moderate pain. Topical medications such as Calamine can also be used to relieve itching. In addition, during pregnancy, if a pregnant woman with shingles has complications such as: post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), skin infection secondary to shingles..., the patient needs immediate medical attention. medical facilities for examination and selection of appropriate medication.
2. Is there any note in using drugs to treat shingles for pregnant women?
Hãy hỏi ý kiến bác sĩ chuyên khoa trước khi sử dụng thuốc chữa zona thần kinh cho bà bầu
About the time of taking antiretroviral drugs: The drug is recommended to be used within 48-72 hours of the onset of the disease to quickly heal skin lesions and reduce pain. However, at present, there is no evidence that the risk of serious complications increases in pregnant women, so in some cases the drug is recommended to be used only when pregnant women have severe skin lesions or inflammation of the nerves. acute epilepsy. In addition to drug measures, pregnant women should also pay attention to non-drug measures to control symptoms and prevent complications of the disease: + Keep the blisters clean and dry, wear clothes loose pants to avoid secondary skin infections
+ With oozing blisters, use clean gauze to soothe and help keep the rash clean
+ Do not share towels and clothes with sick people to limit transmission
Do not arbitrarily use drugs, including oral and topical drugs to treat shingles during pregnancy without consulting a specialist
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Reference articles:
Management of herpes zoster (shingles) during pregnancy (2018), Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2018.1446419 Uptodate: Treatise of Varicella-zoster virus infection in pregnancy herpes zoster in the immunocompetent hos Aciclovir 800 mg Tablets, eMC
