title: EMLA cream in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. Efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile.
abstract: The analgesic efficacy of 5% of EMLA cream (5 or 10 g) when applied for 24 h periods was evaluated in 5 female and 7 male patients (mean age 69 years, range 50-85 years) with refractory post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Mean visual analogue pain intensity scores for all patients were significantly improved 6 h after application (P less than 0.05). In a subgroup of patients with facial PHN receiving EMLA cream, 5 g (n = 4), there were significant improvements in pain intensity scores at 6 h (P less than 0.05). 8 h (P less than 0.01) and 10 h (P less than 0.01) after application. Plasma lignocaine and plasma prilocaine concentrations were well below potentially toxic levels in all patients after application.
authors.affiliation: Pain Relief Unit, Abingdon Hospital, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 1AG U.K. Astra Alab AB, S-151 85 SodertäljeSweden.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Stow
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Glynn
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Minor
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine