Middleburg, FL
A 64-year-old female asked:
Had shingles in my ear and lost my hearing.inf. disease dr. said i must take valtrex (valacyclovir) 1gm daily for the rest of my life.i am 65, is this necessary?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Oscar Novickanswered
Pediatrics 60 years experience
Valtrex (valacyclovir): Valtrex (valacyclovir) is usually prescribed for a week or two. To take for a life time seems excessive. Get a second opinion from a neurologist or ENT specialist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohananswered
Dermatology 59 years experience
NO NO NO: The dr is totally wrong! no harm except the cost, but the virus is no longer the problem. The nerve was damaged. 1 week of valacyclovir is all you needed. Now see a ENT dr for help with nerve deafness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
2 comments
Dr. Amin Ashrafzadeh commented
Ophthalmology 26 years experience
There are many other circumstances here that may have made your infectious disease doc make such recommendation, such as if there was a Ramsey Hunt type setting, meningitis, or corneal involvement... I would not dismiss such recommendation so lightly!
Aug 6, 2013
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohan commented
Dermatology 59 years experience
Provided original answer
Dismiss this DR, see a dermatologist. None of the above is treated this way.
Aug 7, 2013
Dr. Maulik Shahanswered
Clinical Genetics 26 years experience
No: There are no consensus guidelines on the prevention of neuritis (nerve inflammation) in herpes zoster involving the nerves responsible for hearing. However, i would only consider continuous treatment if you are 1. Immunosuppressed or 2. If you have continuing inflammation involving any of the cranial nerves (nerves coming off of the brain). This can be detected by a gadolinium scan.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 7, 2016
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