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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffPrompt treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can ease pain and decrease your risk of long-term complications. To treat Ramsay Hunt, your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- Antiviral medication, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or valacyclovir (Valtrex)
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce swelling and pain
- Diazepam (Valium), to relieve vertigo
- Pain relievers
If facial weakness remains after treatment, physical therapy involving facial exercises may help you improve or regain control of your facial muscles.
If you have trouble closing one of your eyes because of facial weakness, your doctor may recommend an injection of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into your upper eyelid, allowing it to close and protect your eye.
Depending on the extent of damage to your facial nerve, recovery from Ramsay Hunt syndrome can take from several weeks to several months. If damage is severe, or if treatment is delayed, full recovery may not be possible.
- Mattox, DE. Clinical disorders of the facial nerve. In: Cummings CW, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.; Mosby; 2005.
- Fort G, et al. Ramsay Hunt syndrome. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008: 498.
- Mueller NH, et al. Varicella zoster virus infection: Clinical features, molecular pathogenesis of disease, and latency. Neurologic Clinics. 2008;26:675.
- Herpes zoster oticus information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/ramsay2/ramsay2.htm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Shingles: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/detail_shingles.htm#124173223. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome: Treatment. Ramsay.org. http://www.ramsayhunt.org/treat.shtml. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Herpes zoster oticus. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch086/ch086e.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0-6 years - United States, 2008. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/clinical/immunization/childsched.Par.0001.File.tmp/08childsched.pdf. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
