Aim: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral agent valacyclovir compared with famciclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster.Methods: The present study is comprised of 100 patients who developed herpes zoster of both genders. All of the patients that were enrolled gave their consent. The ethical approval from the institutional ethical committee was done. The study was carried out at Department of Pharmacology, Darbhanga Medical College, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga, Bihar, India over a one-year period. Data such as name, age, gender, etc. was recorded. All were divided into 2 groups of 50 patients each. Group I patients were prescribed valacyclovir 1000 mg thrice daily, and Group II patients were prescribed famciclovir 500 mg thrice daily. The treatment was given for 7 days.Results: The result showed that group I had 22 males and 20 females and group II had 18 males and 24 females. The result showed that dermatome in group I and group II involved were thoracic in 30 and 26, lumbar in 6 and 6, cervical in 8 and 10 and trigeminal in 6 and 8 respectively. The difference was non-significant (P> 0.05). The result showed the VAS scores comparison at every follow-up visit between both the groups. The mean VAS scores on the day of presentation, i.e., the baseline scores in both the groups were almost similar, and the difference was not statistically significant. The mean VAS scores in the valacyclovir group were significantly reduced at day 29 (P 0.05). Conclusion: In comparison to famciclovir, oral valacyclovir administered for 7 days during acute zoster infection offers significant benefit by providing a well-tolerated and greater resolution of pain while maintaining a favourable safety profile, making valacyclovir more efficacious and a better drug in the management of Herpes Zoster.

Aim: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral agent valacyclovir compared with famciclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster.Methods: The present study is comprised of 100 patients who developed herpes zoster of both genders. All of the patients that were enrolled gave their consent. The ethical approval from the institutional ethical committee was done. The study was carried out at Department of Pharmacology, Darbhanga Medical College, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga, Bihar, India over a one-year period. Data such as name, age, gender, etc. was recorded. All were divided into 2 groups of 50 patients each. Group I patients were prescribed valacyclovir 1000 mg thrice daily, and Group II patients were prescribed famciclovir 500 mg thrice daily. The treatment was given for 7 days.Results: The result showed that group I had 22 males and 20 females and group II had 18 males and 24 females. The result showed that dermatome in group I and group II involved were thoracic in 30 and 26, lumbar in 6 and 6, cervical in 8 and 10 and trigeminal in 6 and 8 respectively. The difference was non-significant (P> 0.05). The result showed the VAS scores comparison at every follow-up visit between both the groups. The mean VAS scores on the day of presentation, i.e., the baseline scores in both the groups were almost similar, and the difference was not statistically significant. The mean VAS scores in the valacyclovir group were significantly reduced at day 29 (P 0.05). Conclusion: In comparison to famciclovir, oral valacyclovir administered for 7 days during acute zoster infection offers significant benefit by providing a well-tolerated and greater resolution of pain while maintaining a favourable safety profile, making valacyclovir more efficacious and a better drug in the management of Herpes Zoster.