Postherpetic neuralgia is characterized as pain that persists more than three months after an individual has experienced shingles, a viral infection also known as herpes zoster. The condition affects the nerves and skin, and the pain can burn, ache, or resemble an electric-shock feeling. Not everyone who gets shingles will develop postherpetic neuralgia. However, the risk increases with age. While there is no cure, the condition improves over time for most people. More than half stop experiencing pain within one year.
"This guideline will help direct patients and their physicians to the treatments that will bring the most effective relief to postherpetic neuralgia," said guideline co-author Richard M. Dubinsky, MD, MPH, of University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
To develop the evidence-based guideline, the authors reviewed all scientific studies on postherpetic neuralgia. Tricyclic antidepressants, the antiepileptic drug gabapentin, the lidocaine skin patch, and opioids were found to be effective in reducing pain. Yet there is not enough data at this time to make any recommendations on the long-term effects of these treatments.
Aspirin cream and capsaicin were found to be below the level of benefit that is considered clinically important in treatment of chronic pain.
The guideline also determined that acupuncture, morphine, laser treatments, vitamin E, benzydamine cream, dextromethorphan, indomethacin, epidural methylprednisolone, iontophoresis of vincristine, lorazepam, and zimelidine aren't beneficial in treating postherpetic neuralgia.
"Future research should be conducted to determine what combination of treatments will provide relief from postherpetic neuralgia pain and improve the quality of life for patients," Dubinsky said.
The guideline article and a summary for patients are publicly accessible at www.aan.com.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 18,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, autism and multiple sclerosis.
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Neurology