Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Robertson, D R C
Right arrow Articles by George, C F
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Robertson, D R C
Right arrow Articles by George, C F
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

British Medical Bulletin 46:113-123 (1990)
© 1990 The British Council

research-article

Treatment of post herpetic neuralgia in the elderly

D R C Robertson and C F George

Geriatric Medicine, Southampton General Hospital Southampton, UK
Clinical Pharmacology Group, University of Southampton Southampton, UK

Abstract

The incidence of acute herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) increases with age. PHN resolves spontaneously within three months in approximately 50% of cases, although 22% experience discomfort for more than a year. There is little good evidence that treatment with antiviral agents, corticosteroids, local and regional anaesthesia, amantidine or levodopa in the acute stage can prevent the development of PHN. However, few studies have sufficient statistical power to allow firm conclusions to be drawn Amitriptyline is benefical in patients with established PHN and has an analgesic effect which is independent of its antidepressant action. Anticonvulsants and neuroleptics are of unproven efficacy and should be avoided in the elderly as side effects are common. Various local anaesthetic and surgical techniques may provide temporary relief in individual patients although none has been shown to produce consistent benefit. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is free from adverse effects and appears to benefit some patients. Intractable pain often results in over-prescribing with the risk of adverse drug reactions Drug therapy should be minimized with careful assessment of the risk/benefit ration for any additional medication.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Arch Fam MedHome page
P. Richards
Shingles in One Family Practice
Arch Fam Med, January 1, 1996; 5(1): 42 - 46.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.