Treat Shingles With
Aciclovir

Aciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat shingles (herpes zoster), a painful skin rash caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). Aciclovir works by inhibiting viral DNA replication, reducing the severity and duration of the shingles rash and pain. It is most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. Through the NHS Pharmacy First service, a pharmacist can supply aciclovir for shingles without a GP appointment.

Adults: 800 mg five times daily for 7 days. The doses should be taken approximately every 4 hours during waking hours (e.g., 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm, 11pm). This is a higher dose and longer course than used for cold sores or genital herpes. Take with plenty of water to maintain adequate hydration and protect the kidneys. Aciclovir can be taken with or without food. The full 7-day course should be completed.

Antiviral treatment for shingles is most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. Early treatment reduces the severity and duration of the rash, accelerates healing, and — importantly — may reduce the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic pain condition that can persist for months or years after shingles. If more than 72 hours have passed, treatment may still be considered if new blisters are still forming or if the patient is immunocompromised.

Yes, the NHS Pharmacy First service allows pharmacists to clinically assess shingles and supply antiviral medication including aciclovir. The pharmacist will confirm the diagnosis, assess the timing of the rash, and determine whether antiviral treatment is appropriate. Early assessment is important — visit the pharmacy as soon as you suspect shingles to maximise the chance of starting treatment within the critical 72-hour window. This is a free NHS service.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and headache. Skin rash and photosensitivity may occur. Drink plenty of water during treatment, as high-dose aciclovir can occasionally affect kidney function if the body is dehydrated. Uncommon side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and confusion (more common in elderly patients or those with kidney impairment). Aciclovir is generally very well-tolerated.

Shingles can be very painful. Use regular paracetamol and ibuprofen (if suitable) for pain relief. Keep the rash clean and dry. Wear loose-fitting clothing over the affected area. Calamine lotion may soothe itching. Cool compresses can provide relief. If pain is severe, your pharmacist or GP may recommend stronger pain relief such as codeine-containing products or neuropathic pain medications (amitriptyline, gabapentin). Do not cover the rash with adhesive dressings.

You cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles. However, someone who has not had chickenpox (or the chickenpox vaccine) can catch chickenpox from direct contact with fluid from shingles blisters. The risk exists until all blisters have crusted over. Avoid contact with pregnant women who have not had chickenpox, newborn babies, and immunocompromised individuals until the rash has fully crusted.

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is persistent pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred, lasting more than 90 days after the rash has healed. It is the most common complication of shingles, affecting approximately 10–20% of patients — the risk increases significantly with age. PHN pain can be burning, stabbing, or aching and can significantly impact quality of life. Early antiviral treatment with aciclovir may reduce the risk and severity of PHN. If pain persists after the rash heals, see your GP for neuropathic pain management.

NHS Pharmacy First is a free service that lets you get a remote video consultation and treatment for six common conditions without visiting your GP. It is available through NowPatient to NHS patients aged 18 and over in England.

The service covers six conditions: sinusitis, sore throats, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Each condition is subject to an eligibility screening before you can book a consultation.

Yes, the video consultation is completely free. If your clinician prescribes medication and you are not exempt from NHS prescription charges, you will pay a single NHS prescription charge. If you are exempt (for example, you are over 60 or on Income Support), there is no charge at all.

No. The service is commissioned by NHS England and is only available to patients registered with a GP in England. It is not available in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or outside the UK.

You are eligible if you are aged 18 or over and registered with the NHS in England. You must also pass a condition-specific eligibility screening, which is carried out by an assessment tool before you can book your consultation.

If you do not qualify for the service, NowPatient will signpost you to the right NHS care provider or service so you can still get the help you need. You can also download a referral note, explaining why you failed the assessment.

No. NHS Pharmacy First through NowPatient currently covers only the six listed conditions. For other conditions, please contact your GP or visit an NHS walk-in centre.

Log in to your NowPatient account and go to the NHS Pharmacy First Service Card in the NHS Hub. Select your condition, complete the eligibility screening, and if you qualify, follow the prompts to choose your preferred date, time, and clinician.

Yes. During booking, you can browse available clinicians and filter by gender and spoken languages. You can view each clinician’s name, licence number, and credentials before making your choice.

After booking, you will see a ‘Pre-consultation Requirements’ section with tips on how to prepare. You will also be asked to provide your consultation address and emergency contact details. You can opt in to receive an SMS reminder 30 minutes before your appointment.

The clinician will ask you questions to assess your condition and explore treatment options. If treatment is appropriate, you and the clinician will agree on the best option together. Medication is not guaranteed — it is provided only at the clinician’s discretion.

With your consent, the clinician may inform your GP of the treatment prescribed. We recommend agreeing to this, as your GP is responsible for your overall care and should have a record of the consultation.

Yes. You will receive an in-app and push notification summarising the consultation outcome, including any referrals to your GP and advice given by the clinician. You can view this in the ‘Notifications’ section of your homepage.

If your clinician prescribes medication, you will be directed to your Cart to complete the checkout process. This includes confirming your NHS exemption status, choosing a delivery address and method, and submitting payment.

If you are not exempt from NHS prescription charges, you will pay a single prescription charge per item. If you are exempt, you will not be charged. You will be asked to confirm your exemption status during checkout.

Yes. During the consultation, we will ask for your consent to provide the service. This allows us to communicate with your GP and share information with NHS England, NHS Improvement, and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) when required.

Our clinicians are board-certified pharmacists registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). All clinicians undergo DBS background checks and a comprehensive licence verification process. The conditions and medications they can prescribe are strictly governed and reviewed in line with NHS guidelines.

Yes. The service is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations. It complies with NHS standards DTAC, DCB 0160, and DCB 0129. Consultations are delivered via live video to ensure clinical safety and appropriate prescribing.

Yes. NowPatient operates from a HIPAA, DTAC, and Cyber Essentials Plus certified platform that ensures the highest levels of information security. Clinicians access systems on a zero-trust basis with single sign-on (SSO) technology.

Yes. As an NHS patient, our clinicians can access your GP record, including your medications, observations, and investigations. This helps them assess your condition safely and accurately.

We deliver to all postcodes in England. Some rural areas may experience slightly longer delivery times.

All orders are shipped in discreet, unmarked packaging. Temperature-sensitive medications are sent in cold chain-validated packaging to ensure product quality and safety.

We offer Royal Mail Standard Tracked & Signed (2–3 days) and Royal Mail Special Delivery (next working day, guaranteed before 1pm). Orders placed before 3pm Monday–Friday are dispatched the same day.

Your first order must be delivered to the address registered with NowPatient. After that, you can choose any delivery address, including your workplace.

Check the tracking details in the ‘Notification Feed’ section of your dashboard. If your delivery has not arrived within 10 days of the dispatch notification, contact us and we will work to resolve the issue.

NowPatient sends status updates by email and in-app notifications at every stage of your order, from placement through to delivery.

Yes. NowPatient’s pharmacists provide medication advice and counselling across all dispensing services. If you have questions about your prescribed medication, our pharmacy team is available to help.

You may receive a short survey about your experience. We encourage you to complete it, as your feedback helps us improve the service. It is especially helpful if you highlight areas for improvement.

You may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions from the NHS Pharmacy Service if you meet specific eligibility criteria. To claim exemption, the appropriate category must be selected on the prescription form and valid evidence may be required. The exemption categories are listed below:

Age-Related Exemptions

• A: Aged 60 or over, or under 16 (unless date of birth is printed on the form)

• B: Aged 16, 17, or 18 and in full-time education

Certificate-Based Exemptions

• D: Maternity exemption certificate

• E: Medical exemption certificate

• F: Prescription prepayment certificate

• W: HRT-only prescription prepayment certificate

• G: Ministry of Defence prescription exemption certificate

• L: HC2 (full help) certificate

Benefit-Related Exemptions

• H: Receiving Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• S: Receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (including partners)

• U: Receiving Universal Credit and meeting eligibility criteria (Earnings ≤ £435, or ≤ £935 [if UC includes child element or limited capability for work)], in most recent assessment period)

Important

You must only claim an exemption if they are entitled to it. Incorrect claims can result in penalty charges. Proof of eligibility should be provided if requested when collecting medication.

Prescription Item Level Exemptions

You may be entitled to certain medication items for free as listed below. Make sure you declare this when you checkout your prescription order.

• For Contraceptive Use

• For STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Treatment

• For latent or active Tuberculosis (TB) or to treat adverse effects of TB treatment

Check if you have an exemption from paying NHS costs

You can check your exemption status by clicking below