Ask the doctor: What to take for shingles pain
I've been diagnosed with shingles. Is there anything I can take for the pain?The reason that the recommendation is made only for people over age 50 is that this is the age group most often affected by shingles, and most of the studies of antiviral treatments have been conducted in that age group. Still, if a patient younger than 50 is having lots of discomfort from shingles that began in the last three days, I will often prescribe antiviral therapy. If the antiviral medicine is not giving enough pain relief, pain medicines can be added. Doctors start with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, and if necessary will then add more potent pain medicines.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Source matters. Subscribe to HarvardHealthOnline+ FREE for 30 days for unlimited access to the site – where all content is reviewed by an HMS physician or faculty expert.
With HHO+ you get these exclusive benefits:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
SPECIAL OFFER! UNLOCK EXPERT ACCESS for 30 days FREE!
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
