title: Pharmacologic management of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.
abstract: Herpes zoster is an infection caused by reactivation of dormant varicella-zoster virus. The acute course of herpes zoster is generally benign; however, some patients will experience postherpetic neuralgia characterized by severe, relentless, and at times disabling pain that is often refractory to treatment. While herpes zoster responds to acyclovir, cost-benefit considerations limit the drug's usefulness to only a select group. Postherpetic neuralgia requires a holistic approach, including pharmacologic therapy using several different classes of drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Vancouver General Hospital.
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mamdani
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D016527:Drug Costs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002927:Cimetidine; D000212:Acyclovir