ABSTRACT
Background: Herpes Zoster is a more sporadic disease than a doe’s primary VZV infection. Herpes Zoster is typically transmitted person to person by direct contact. The lifetime risk of developing Herpes Zoster is between 25% and 30%, rising to 50% in those aged at least 80 years. The aim is to identify the side effects of oral valacyclovir and oral acyclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster.Material & Methods:This randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, ShaheedSuhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, from April 2016 to September 2016. A total of 60 patients with herpes zoster were enrolled in the study. Group A Valacyclovir was 30 patients, and Group B Acyclovir was 30 patients.Results:In Group-A, it was observed that 6(20.00%) patients had nausea found to be the highest, 4(13.33%) patients had Headache, 3(10.00%) patients had vomiting, 2(6.67%) patients had Diarrhea,0(0.00%) patients had anorexia, 3(10.00%) patients had abdominal pain, and 1(3.33%) patients had dyspepsia found to be lowest in Group-A, and 8(26.67%) patients had nausea found to be highest, 5(16.67%) patients had Headache, 4(13.33%) patients had vomiting, 3(10.00%) patients had Diarrhea,1(3.33%) patients had anorexia, 5(16.67%) patients had abdominal pain, and 1(3.33%) patients had dyspepsia found to be lowest in Group-B of study patients as side effects.Conclusion:The rate of cessation of abnormal sensations, rash healing, and complications or adverse effects was not similar with both the treatments. There were no clinically significant differences in the nature and frequency but there were clinically significant differences in severity of adverse/side events between the two treatment groups. Thus, we conclude that in the management of herpes zoster, valacyclovir accelerates the resolution of pain and offers simpler dosing, and maintains a favorable safety profile than acyclovir.