Herpes zoster
ICD-10 B02 · ICD-11 1E91.0

Herpes Zoster Not Responding to Acyclovir After 10–21 Days

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses herpes zoster in patients whose infection has not responded to acyclovir treatment administered for 10 to 21 days — a presentation consistent with acyclovir resistance.

Acyclovir Resistance

When a VZV infection fails to respond to an adequate acyclovir course of 10 to 21 days, acyclovir resistance should be considered the working diagnosis. This situation calls for a different therapeutic strategy than standard first-line treatment.

Treatment Approach

A specific alternative antiviral agent is indicated for acyclovir-resistant herpes zoster when standard therapy has been insufficient.

The complete protocol — including the agent, regimen details, and full clinical guidance — is available via the link below.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14013

Clinically, VZV infections that do not respond to acyclovir treatment administered for 10 to 21 days may be considered to be acyclovir resistant.

There have also been anecdotal reports of acyclovir-resistant VZV strains responding to cidofovir.

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