title: Positive Effects of Uyakujunkisan Therapy (Kampo Medicine) for Postherpetic Neuralgia With Concomitant Pregabalin: Two Case Reports With a Literature Review.
abstract: Context • The hallmark of herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful, blistering rash, but neuropathic pain can persist beyond the clearing of the rash and is diagnosed as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a chronic pain syndrome. However, the pain in PHN is often refractory to treatment. Objective • The study investigated the ability of Uyakujunkisan (UJS), or Kampo medicine, a traditional herbal medicine, to treat PHN successfully. Design • The study was observational, with discussion of 2 cases. Setting • The study took place in the Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine at Gunma Central and General Hospital (Maebashi, Gunma, Japan). Participants • The participants in cases 1 and 2 were a 70-y-old male and a 70-y-old female, respectively. The woman in case 2 also had rheumatoid arthritis. Both had been treated for HZ with antiviral drugs but continued to experience pain and were diagnosed with PHN. Intervention • Both participants were treated with a decoction of UJS that was administered 3 ×/d before meals. Outcome Measures • The patients completed a visual analogue scale. Results • In case 1, the patient's pain had almost disappeared after 8 wk of treatment. In case 2, the patient's pain had disappeared by 4 mo after starting the UJS treatment. Conclusions • Treatment with UJS may be a useful option as a therapeutic strategy for refractory PHN, especially in older adults.
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kogure
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Kanoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tatsumi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069583:Pregabalin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D010936:Plant Extracts; C538779:uyakujunkisan; D000069583:Pregabalin