NHS treatment for shingles

Shingles antivirals work best when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. If you're 18 or over and have a painful, blistering rash on one side of your body, come straight in.

Time matters with shingles. Antiviral treatment is most effective when started within 72 hours of rash onset. If you suspect shingles, don't wait for a GP appointment — come to us today.

What is shingles?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster) which stays dormant in your nerves after a childhood infection. When it reactivates, it travels along a single nerve and causes a painful, blistering rash on the area of skin that nerve supplies.

Classic features

Pain, tingling, or burning in one area of skin — often appearing 1-5 days before the rash
A red, blistering rash on one side of the body (left or right, not crossing the midline)
The rash follows a band shape on the chest, abdomen, back, or face
Blisters that scab over within 7-10 days
Fatigue, mild fever, headache
Itching or hypersensitivity of the affected skin

The key clue is one-sided distribution. Shingles almost never crosses the midline of the body.

Who can use this service?

Adults aged 18 and over
Rash onset within the past 72 hours (or up to 7 days if higher-risk — see below)
Classic dermatomal (one-sided, band-pattern) rash
Not pregnant

If you are immunosuppressed (for example chemotherapy, organ transplant, biologic therapy, or HIV) please tell the pharmacist — many people in this group can still be treated under the pathway, often with valaciclovir, but a small number need urgent specialist referral. Disseminated rash (more than one dermatome or both sides of the body) always needs urgent hospital review.

If you take medicines for a transplant, severe asthma/COPD, or to suppress your immune system, please tell the pharmacist — these may need a GP rather than a pharmacy supply.

If you have known kidney disease, please tell the pharmacist — antiviral doses may need to be adjusted.

If your shingles is in the eye area (involving the tip of the nose, forehead, or eye itself — "ophthalmic shingles"), or you're pregnant, you'll be referred urgently — these need GP or eye-hospital care.

What treatment can be supplied?

The NHS Pharmacy First shingles pathway supplies oral antivirals under a Patient Group Direction. First-line options:

Aciclovir 800 mg — five times a day (at 4-hourly intervals during waking hours) for 7 days (35 tablets supplied)
Valaciclovir 1 g — three times a day for 7 days (42 × 500 mg tablets supplied). Fewer doses per day and often preferred where adherence is a concern or where the patient is immunosuppressed.

Starting antivirals within 72 hours of rash onset shortens the illness, reduces severity of the rash, and reduces the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia (long-lasting nerve pain). After 72 hours, antivirals may still be considered if the rash is still progressing or if you're at higher risk.

The pharmacist will also advise on pain relief — usually paracetamol, or ibuprofen depending on severity (over-the-counter co-codamol 8/500 may be discussed where appropriate — stronger formulations need a prescription) — and on caring for the rash to prevent secondary infection.

How it works — fully online from your phone

Start the online assessment via the Digital Gateway link above — eligibility (age, immunosuppression), pain pattern, rash onset timing. You'll upload a photo of the rash as part of the form so the pharmacist can confirm the dermatomal pattern.
Pharmacist reviews urgently — shingles is time-sensitive. We prioritise these and aim to respond within 1 hour during opening hours.
Pharmacist phones or video-calls you to confirm the assessment and any clarifying questions. If the photo isn't clear enough, we may send you a secure accuRx video link to look at the rash live.
If criteria are met, antivirals are supplied immediately — aciclovir or valaciclovir, 7-day course.
If ophthalmic shingles or other red flags are visible on the photo or in your history, you'll be referred urgently to GP, eye services, or A&E — speed is critical for vision-threatening cases.
Antivirals delivered same-day in Leeds LS postcodes, or Royal Mail Tracked anywhere in England. Or collect from us if faster — we're open 7 days a week.
GP notified automatically via NHS GP Connect.

Refer urgently — call 111 or your GP for same-day assessment if: rash on the tip of the nose, eyelid, or forehead, or any eye symptoms (ophthalmic shingles — risk to vision; in Leeds, this is routed via the eye-casualty service at St James's University Hospital through 111 or your GP); facial droop or weakness, hearing changes, severe ear pain, or blisters in/around the ear (possible Ramsay Hunt syndrome — needs urgent same-day medical assessment); rash involving more than one dermatome or both sides (disseminated shingles); rash in someone severely immunosuppressed.

Call 999 or attend A&E only if: you also have new neurological symptoms (weakness, slurred speech, confusion) or severe systemic illness.

Don't wait — start your shingles assessment online

Antivirals work best within 72 hours of rash onset. Open our NHS-assured Digital Gateway on your phone right now, upload a photo of the rash, and the pharmacist will see your record straight away.

Start online assessment → Or call 0113 244 1551

Frequently asked questions

Is shingles contagious?: You can pass varicella-zoster virus from open shingles blisters to someone who has never had chickenpox or been vaccinated — and they would develop chickenpox, not shingles. Until all the blisters have crusted over, keep the rash covered, avoid sharing towels, avoid swimming and contact sports, and stay away from anyone who is pregnant and has not had chickenpox, any newborn baby, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
What if it's been more than 72 hours?: Come in anyway. The pharmacist may still supply antivirals if the rash is still progressing or you're at high risk of complications (older age, immunosuppression). If you're outside the pathway, you'll be referred to your GP.
How long does shingles last?: The rash typically heals in 2-4 weeks. Nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia) can last for weeks or months in some people — antivirals reduce this risk, especially in older adults.
Can I get the shingles vaccine here?: The NHS shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is offered to people aged 65 (and others by eligibility), typically through your GP practice. Ask your GP about eligibility.
What if I'm not sure it's shingles?: Come in. The pharmacist can usually tell from a brief look. If it's not shingles you'll get an honest answer and pointed in the right direction.
I have shingles in my eye area — can you treat it?: No. Ophthalmic shingles needs urgent eye-hospital assessment. Go to A&E or call 111 immediately — there's a real risk to vision.

About this service at Hyde Park Pharmacy

Hyde Park Pharmacy is a community pharmacy in central Leeds (premises 9011727, regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council). Our superintendent pharmacist is Shoyab Umarji (GPhC #2065619, Independent Prescriber). The shingles pathway follows v1.1 NHS England Pharmacy First service spec (October 2025).

For the full list of Pharmacy First conditions, see our main Pharmacy First page. For a step-by-step explanation of the post-submission flow, see what happens next.