This service is available for adults aged 18 years and over. Patients presenting with shingles could be eligible for medication supply.
Our pharmacists will assess your symptoms and provide appropriate advice and treatment options.
Shingles vaccination available for eligible individuals to help prevent future occurrences.
Access to appropriate pain relief medication and advice on managing symptoms.
Regular monitoring and advice to prevent complications and ensure effective treatment.
Guidance on reducing risks and managing stress to prevent shingles recurrence.
The first signs of shingles can be:
A rash will usually appear a few days later. In rare cases shingles can cause pain without a rash.
Usually you get the shingles rash on your chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals.
The rash appears as blotches on your skin, on 1 side of your body only. A rash on both the left and right of your body is unlikely to be shingles.
Treatment for shingles depends on how severe your symptoms are and whether you're at risk of complications.
If you have a mild rash you may not need any treatment.
You may be offered antiviral tablets if:
You usually need to start taking the medicine within 3 days of your rash first appearing. Treatment for shingles can also include medicines to help relieve pain, such as painkillers, steroid tablets or medicines that help with nerve pain.
The shingles vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting shingles and reduces the severity of symptoms if you do get it.
You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you are:
The vaccine helps protect against shingles for at least 5 years.
You cannot get the shingles vaccine if you:
Speak to our pharmacist if you're unsure about your eligibility.
Most cases of shingles get better within 4 weeks. But see a GP if:
Call 111 or get an urgent GP appointment if you have shingles and:
Find answers to common questions about shingles and our treatment service.