How to Prevent Postherpetic Neuralgia

Shingles is caused by the herpes zoster virus. Patients with shingles may also experience postherpetic neuralgia, which is a complication of shingles. Not all patients with shingles also acquire this condition. Postherpetic neuralgia affects the cutaneous nerves. The condition can be very painful, and is also characterized by a skin rash that typically appears on one half of the body. There are no medications or treatment regimens that are proven to completely prevent postherpetic neuralgia, but there are a few options that may help reduce the incidence of the condition, shorten its duration or reduce the pain that patients can experience.

Things You'll Need

• Antiviral medication Tricyclic antidepressants Anticonvulsant medication Oxycodone Zostavax vaccine

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Instructions

• 1

  Try antiviral therapy if you have herpes zoster. Acyclovir may help reduce the pain and famciclovir may help to shorten the duration of postherpetic neuralgia, and may also help you avoid it altogether. Your doctor may also suggest combining valacyclovir with famciclovir.

• 2

  Ask your doctor about tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and desipramine. These medications may help reduce the pain of herpes zoster and can assist in preventing postherpetic neuralgia. An average dose of amitriptyline is about 70 mg per day, and for desipramine it is roughly 167 mg daily.

• 3

  Discuss taking an anticonvulsant with your doctor. Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin, can help you deal with postherpetic neuralgia. An average effective dose can start at about 300 mg daily but can be increased to 1,800 mg daily.

• 4

  Try taking oxycodone for relieving your pain. An average dose is about 10 mg twice daily. Possible side effects include sedation, reduced appetite, nausea and constipation.

• 5

  Avoid getting shingles and postherpetic neuralgia altogether by getting vaccinated. Zostavax is a vaccine that can prevent shingles or lessen its effects, and is available for patients ages 60 and older. Zostavax is not used to treat shingles and postherpetic neuralgia once you already have shingles.