Which antiviral medications are commonly used for the treatment of herpes zoster?

The treatment of herpes zoster, also known as shingles, typically involves the use of antiviral medications to reduce the severity of the outbreak and speed up recovery. Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir belong to this class of antiviral drugs and are specifically effective against the varicella-zoster virus, which causes herpes zoster.

Acyclovir is one of the first antivirals developed for herpes infections, including herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Famciclovir and valacyclovir are newer agents that are often preferred because they have improved pharmacokinetics, allowing for less frequent dosing and better absorption in some cases. These medications work by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, which ultimately helps to decrease the duration and severity of symptoms associated with the infection.

The other options listed consist of medications that are either not effective against the herpes zoster virus or used for entirely different conditions. For instance, the second option includes antibiotics which are effective against bacterial infections, not viral infections like herpes zoster. The third option contains antiviral medications that are used for other types of viral infections, predominantly cytomegalovirus, instead of herpes zoster. Lastly, the fourth option consists of antibiotics that target specific bacteria, further