title: Recommendations for the management of herpes zoster.
abstract: The objective of this article is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients with herpes zoster (HZ) that take into account clinical efficacy, adverse effects, impact on quality of life, and costs of treatment. Systematic literature reviews, published randomized clinical trials, existing guidelines, and the authors' clinical and research experience relevant to the management of patients with HZ were reviewed at a consensus meeting. The results of controlled trials and the clinical experience of the authors support the use of acyclovir, brivudin (where available), famciclovir, and valacyclovir as first-line antiviral therapy for the treatment of patients with HZ. Specific recommendations for the use of these medications are provided. In addition, suggestions are made for treatments that, when used in combination with antiviral therapy, may further reduce pain and other complications of HZ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA. robert_dworkin@urmc.rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Dworkin
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breuer
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gnann
authors.forename: Myron J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Backonja
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.forename: Anne A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gershon
authors.forename: Maija L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Haanpaa
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: McKendrick
authors.forename: Turo J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nurmikko
authors.forename: Anne Louise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Oaklander
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Oxman
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pavan-Langston
authors.forename: Karin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Schmader
authors.forename: Brett R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Stacey
authors.forename: Stephen K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tyring
authors.forename: Albert J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Wijck
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Sawko W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wassilew
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Whitley
mesh_terms: D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077595:Famciclovir; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; C020235:brivudine; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir