Postherpetic neuralgia: two clinical cases
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc9(32)756Keywords:
Neuralgia, Postherpetic, Herpes Zoster, Therapeutical Approaches, PainAbstract
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of Herpes Zoster, characterized by the presence of neuropathic-type pain limited to a dermatomic area after outbreak of Herpes Zoster (commonly known as shingles), usually a month after the appearance of vesicles on the skin . The aim of this report is to present two cases of PHN and their responses to different treatments. The first case presented intolerance to amitriptyline and a good clinical response to gabapentin at a dose of 900 mg/day. The second case showed intolerance to capsaicin but responded well to the combination of pregabalin and topical lidocaine. Gabapentin, pregabalin and lidocaine are effective for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. All these recommendations are consistent with those treatments used by the family physicians in the two cases study presented.
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