Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
- Gabapentin/pregabalin are common first-line drugs
- TCA or SNRI can be effective alternatives
- Topical lidocaine for localized allodynia
- Capsaicin 8% patch is another local option
- Opioids are generally later-line
- Shingrix prevention is more effective than treating PHN
Use at a glance
- Gabapentin/pregabalin are common first-line drugs
Escalation / refractory disease
- Opioids are generally later-line
Practical pearls
- TCA or SNRI can be effective alternatives
- Capsaicin 8% patch is another local option
- Shingrix prevention is more effective than treating PHN
Other practical pearls
- Topical lidocaine for localized allodynia
Self-check
- Where do opioids generally fit in PHN treatment?
Later-line. - What topical treatment is used for localized PHN allodynia?
Lidocaine.
Drugs used for this (4)
All clinical uses · Open Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the interactive console ↗