Chickenpox & Shingles
13 drugs · 2 OTC · 11 Prescription
Antiviral treatments for chickenpox, shingles, and varicella infections
When to see a doctor
Seek care if you notice any of the following
- If you have chickenpox and experience difficulty breathing, or your breathing becomes very rapid or shallow, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
- If you have chickenpox and your fever lasts for more than 4 days, or you have a fever that is very high (above 38°C), go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
- If you have shingles and experience severe pain that does not improve with pain relief medication, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
- If you have chickenpox and show signs of dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dark urine, or dizziness, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
- If you have shingles and experience a rash that covers a large area of your body, or the rash becomes infected (with signs of pus or discharge), go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
For guidance only: always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Antiviral
Fights viral infections in the body
Aciclovir
PrescriptionCold sores (fever blisters on the lips), genital herpes, chickenpox, shingles (painful rash that comes from the chickenpox virus), herpes eye infections
Valacyclovir
PrescriptionCold sores (fever blisters on the lips), genital herpes, shingles (painful rash with blisters), chickenpox
Skin protectant and anti-itch agent
anti-pruritic
Antiviral
Direct-Acting Antiviral - NS5A Inhibitor
Topical analgesic and counter-irritant
pain reliever applied on the skin
Antiviral/Cytotoxic
wart remover
Antiviral
Sofosbuvir
PrescriptionChronic hepatitis C (long-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus)
Sofosbuvir; Daclatasvir
PrescriptionChronic hepatitis C infection (long-term liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus)
Sofosbuvir; Ledipasvir
PrescriptionChronic hepatitis C infection (a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus)
Sofosbuvir; Velpatasvir
PrescriptionChronic hepatitis C infection (all types/genotypes), liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus
Antiviral
Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate
PrescriptionHepatitis B (liver infection caused by hepatitis B virus), HIV infection (usually combined with other HIV medicines)
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
PrescriptionHIV infection (used together with other HIV medicines, not alone), Hepatitis B (liver infection caused by a virus), prevention of HIV in people at high risk (called PrEP)