title: Treatment of the localized pain of postherpetic neuralgia.
abstract: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a neuropathic pain condition that can arise as a complication following herpes zoster infection, with pain often localized to the affected dermatome. Patients are initially likely to seek treatment for PHN pain from their primary care practitioner; however, adequate pain relief is difficult to achieve in many patients. Combination therapies are often used and have shown promise, but there is still limited clinical evidence in the literature to support them. This article reviews the recent literature and guidelines on PHN treatment, with a focus on combination therapies, and seeks to help primary health care practitioners select treatment strategies that provide immediate relief for patients with localized PHN pain.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. zpaster@facstaff.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Zorba
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Paster
authors.forename: Charlene M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D006801:Humans; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate