Abstract
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of acute herpes zoster (HZ) infection. Many kinds of medication are currently available for treating PHN; capsaicin and lidocaine are used topically and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are used systemically although because of common adverse effects and the frequent occurrence of the disease in the elderly, TCAs use is gradually decreasing. The current mainstay of treatment and only drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating PHN is gabapentinoid (a combination of gabapentin and pregabalin). Opioids such as tramadol, morphine, or oxycodone are used as second or even third line therapies, but their overall efficacy is not satisfactory enough. The HZ vaccination has a role in decreasing the incidence and pain of PHN, but its long-term efficacy has yet to be determined. Therefore, much work remains in improving treatment of PHN.
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