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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Neurological Side Effects Of Acyclovir?

Hello, I am trying to find out about neurological side effects of acyclovir. My 84 y/0 normally healthy mother was diagnosed with Shingles around the 22nd of October and was given Acyclovir, along with a medrol dose pack. Yesterday she started having symptoms of heaviness in her arms and legs and pain to the touch. She denies any nuchal rigididty, complains of a mild headache, fatique. She has Normal kidney function. Prior to the Shingles diagnosis she had been under a lot of emotional stress due to a sick family member. She had a respiratory infection treated with a ZPack and a medrol dose pack in early October . I was wondering if her neurological symptoms might be related to the Acyclovir.
Fri, 30 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello Dear. Common acyclovir side effects may include:

1. nausea, vomiting;
2. diarrhea;
3. general ill feeling;
4. headache; or
5. mouth pain while using an acyclovir buccal tablet.

Neurological problem may not be related to acyclovir. Kindly get her blood sugars tested to see if neurological problem is related to Diabetes.

Sometimes viral infections like herpes, shingles can cause neurological problems. Its called Post-herpetic neuralgia. About 10% of adults who get shingles experience long-term pain in the area of skin where blisters occurred, even after the rash has healed completely. This condition may last for months or, very rarely, years. Severe pain is most common in older patients and often is accompanied by extreme sensitivity to heat and cold in the affected area of skin.

Kindly consult your doctor for the same. There are a variety of treatment options for post herpetic neuralgia. They are

1. Lidocaine skin patches
2. Capsaicin skin patch
3. Certain anti-seizure medications, including gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) and pregabalin (Lyrica)
4. Certain antidepressants — such as nortriptyline (Pamelor), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
5. Opioids- pain medications containing tramadol (Ultram, Conzip), oxycodone (Percocet, Roxicet, Xartemis XR) or morphine

Kindly discuss all these with your doctor.

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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What Are The Neurological Side Effects Of Acyclovir?

Hello Dear. Common acyclovir side effects may include: 1. nausea, vomiting; 2. diarrhea; 3. general ill feeling; 4. headache; or 5. mouth pain while using an acyclovir buccal tablet. Neurological problem may not be related to acyclovir. Kindly get her blood sugars tested to see if neurological problem is related to Diabetes. Sometimes viral infections like herpes, shingles can cause neurological problems. Its called Post-herpetic neuralgia. About 10% of adults who get shingles experience long-term pain in the area of skin where blisters occurred, even after the rash has healed completely. This condition may last for months or, very rarely, years. Severe pain is most common in older patients and often is accompanied by extreme sensitivity to heat and cold in the affected area of skin. Kindly consult your doctor for the same. There are a variety of treatment options for post herpetic neuralgia. They are 1. Lidocaine skin patches 2. Capsaicin skin patch 3. Certain anti-seizure medications, including gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) and pregabalin (Lyrica) 4. Certain antidepressants — such as nortriptyline (Pamelor), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR) 5. Opioids- pain medications containing tramadol (Ultram, Conzip), oxycodone (Percocet, Roxicet, Xartemis XR) or morphine Kindly discuss all these with your doctor. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini