Post Herpetic Neuralgia After Acyclovir Treatment

Authors

  • Abdul Hadi Mohamed
  • Mohd Shukrimi Awang
  • Nor Zamzila Abdullah
  • Mohd Basri Mat Nor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v15i1.1231

Abstract

Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) is often diagnosed when pain persists in a dermatomal pattern weeks after the herpes zoster vesicular eruption has healed. There is a definite tendency for PHN to improve with time. There is no way of predicting who will recover. However, some reported that as many as 40% of patients with PHN will continue to have long-term problems because of incomplete or no pain despite the best treatments given. This retrospective series discussed the outcome of treatment of 3 patients with PHN, using acyclovir, Gabapentin and analgesics. Patients were treated by a single pain specialist in a conventional community pain practice. Therapies were given twice-monthly for 1-2 months, then less frequently until pain relief was optimized. Patients received a median of 7 treatments (range 4 - 11). Median baseline allodynia levels were reduced from 9 /10 (range 8 to 10) to 0/10 (range 0 to 6), intermittent shooting pain from 9/10 (range 8 to 10) to 0/10 (range 0 to 6). 1 of 3 patients (30%) was able to be weaned off pain medications. These data showed that there is variation in the response to treatment in patients suffering from PHN. The response ranged from a complete cure to unresponsive at all to the treatment given. There is no way of predicting who will fully recover.

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Published

01.06.2016

How to Cite

Mohamed, A. H. ., Awang, M. S. ., Abdullah, N. Z. ., & Mat Nor, M. B. . (2016). Post Herpetic Neuralgia After Acyclovir Treatment. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.31436/imjm.v15i1.1231

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Supplementary Abstract

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