CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Chickenpox - Management
Which antiviral should I prescribe for an adult with chickenpox?
- Aciclovir is the preferred antiviral drug for the treatment of chickenpox in adults.
Basis for recommendation
- Aciclovir is licensed for the treatment of chickenpox [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2007] and has been recommended for the treatment of chickenpox in immunocompetent adults [Wilkins et al, 1998].
- A review by BMJ Clinical Evidence identified one randomized controlled trial (n = 148 adults) in a systematic review which found aciclovir (800 mg 5 times daily) given within 24 hours of the onset of rash reduced the maximum number of lesions (p < 0.01) and the time to full crusting of lesions (p = 0.001) compared to placebo [Swingler, 2007].
- Other antivirals:
- These are not recommended as they are not licensed for the treatment of chickenpox.
- A review by BMJ Clinical Evidence found no systematic review or randomized controlled trials of famciclovir or valaciclovir for the treatment of chickenpox in healthy people [Swingler, 2007].
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement