title: [Drug clinics. How I treat zona].
abstract: The treatment of herpes zoster relies on the intravenous or oral administration of antiviral drugs. Oral aciclovir for shingles is hindered by its low bioavailability. New antiviral drugs with improved oral bioavailability (famciclovir and valaciclovir) allow a better efficacy. The opportuneness of treating herpes zoster is different in the immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, and during childhood and pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatopathologie, Université de Liège.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nikkels
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Piérard
mesh_terms: D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D000077595:Famciclovir; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir