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Varicella

Varicella, better known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It mostly affects children and usually shows up as an itchy rash that blisters and scabs over.

Valtrex

Valaciclovir

500mg · 1000mg

Valaciclovir tablets for shingles and herpes simplex infections. It stops the virus from multiplying by blocking its DNA.

From$3.12/ tabletView

Zovirax

Aciclovir

200mg · 400mg · 800mg

Aciclovir tablets for shingles and genital herpes. It stops the virus from reproducing, which helps the sores heal.

From$0.51/ tabletView

Famvir

Famciclovir

250mg · 500mg

Famciclovir tablets for shingles and cold sores. It becomes active inside infected cells to stop the virus multiplying.

From$4.42/ tabletView

Key points

  • Up to 90 percent of non-immune people in close contact with someone who has chickenpox will become infected.
  • The illness usually resolves on its own within one to two weeks.
  • For most people, chickenpox is managed at home with supportive measures to relieve symptoms and prevent skin infections.

Medicines listed for Varicella

The three products listed for varicella are all antiviral tablets. Valaciclovir appears in Valtrex (500 mg and 1000 mg), Aciclovir in Zovirax (200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg), and Famciclovir in Famvir (250 mg and 500 mg). These antivirals target the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and can later reactivate as shingles.

Further reading