title: Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
abstract: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a serious complication of herpes zoster that has a predilection for older individuals. PHN is often associated with significant morbidity, and it can cause insomnia, fatigue, depression and interference with daily activities in affected individuals. Treatment for PHN is initiated with antivirals during the acute herpes zoster outbreak. Acyclovir (Zoviraxr, GlaxoSmithKline), valacyclovir (Valtrex, GlaxoSmithKline) or famciclovir (Famvir, Novartis) can be used to treat herpes zoster, and all three have been shown to reduce the duration of the herpetic rash and zoster-associated pain. These antivirals are most effective when used within the first 72 hours of the onset of the rash. Side-effects of these antivirals are low and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache. Other treatment options for PHN include topical analgesics, opioid analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentin. Because of the complexity of PHN, most patients require a combination of treatment modalities for adequate pain relief.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas, Health Sciences Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Sra
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tyring
mesh_terms: D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011355:Prodrugs; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D011355:Prodrugs; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir