This could include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if not taken correctly. Antibacterial agents can be given to treat bacterial infections of the shingles … Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) can be effective in relieving mild pain. They often affect just a small area. Options include:Some of these medications are available for purchase online, including Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are most commonly prescribed for shingles pain, including:It can take several weeks or months before antidepressants work for nerve pain.In addition to seeking medical treatment, people can take other steps to alleviate their symptoms and reduce discomfort. All rights reserved. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Failure to comply may result in legal action.Shingles is a painful rash. People may experience sharp, stabbing pains and the affected skin area can feel very tender. Shingles is a skin infection caused by the chickenpox virus. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information - Cover your rash with a bandage or clothing. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. After you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) inside your body.It can become reactivated at a later stage and cause shingles. People usually only experience shingles once, but the infection can recur.Shingles symptoms tend to develop on one side of the face or body. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster). To help with the pain of shingles, your doctor might have you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. It starts with small red bumps that may blister. The doctor stopped the Percocet, but I'm still on Neurontin and still in pain. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. It is more common in people older than 60 … About 20 percent of people with shingles will get PHN, which is defined as pain that lasts more than a month after the eruptions of shingles.This disorder often is more painful and more long-term than shingles, sometimes lasting for a year or more. These include:People should avoid scratching the rash and blisters as much as they can. If you allergic to nsaids you should not take them and if any regular medications that you take may have serious contraindications. This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. For me the pain was the worst in the first few days of the rash, including some lymph node swelling under my arm that was uncomfortable. Burning, Lingering Pain After Shingles? The pain can result in fatigue, sleep disturbance, anorexia, depression and, in general, a lowering of quality of life.No treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia has been found to be uniformly effective. After about one week, scabs form on the rash and then fall off.Your doctor may give you medicine to ease the pain and help the rash go away faster. Internal shingles can cause symptoms such as persistent pain, fever, cough, abdominal pain, and headache. Aspirin and codeine can help control the pain. It started with a back pain on sunday, then yesterday morning (weds) i woke up with a rash, so I went to the dr. where she diagnosed as shingles. Curious to hear others experiences. This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. For others, shingles can cause intense pain that can be felt from the gentlest touch or breeze. I am only 31 years old, fairly healthy, and active. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. I was given Neurontin and Percocet and told to take them three times a day. It's mostly bearable but I'm worried it'll get worse over time. The patch has been found to be effective, simple to use and without systemic side effects.Percocet is a potent analgesic for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. After you get chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for several years without causing any symptoms. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at To catch the virus, someone must have direct contact with the rash.To avoid spreading VZV, people with shingles should:There is a vaccination available to reduce the risk of developing shingles and experiencing long-term complications, such as PHN.People who have already had shingles can have the vaccine to prevent future occurrences.Up to a third of the population in the U.S. is affected by shingles. “But moderate pain can stop people from working, or enjoying their hobbies, and it can also make some people depressed or anxious. However, potential complications include:Treating PHN is difficult, and the symptoms can last It is not known why some people who have shingles go on to develop PHN.