Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment

Medications, lifestyle changes, and other treatment options are often recommended for people who have postherpetic neuralgia. Tricyclic antidepressants, painkillers, and antiseizure medicines are some of the drugs that can be used to treat the pain associated with this condition. Lifestyle changes can involve getting enough rest and using cold compresses. When other forms of postherpetic neuralgia treatment are ineffective, nerve blocks can be used as a last resort. These procedures usually involve injecting a local anesthetic into the area of the affected nerves.

Postherpetic Neuralgia Information

An Overview of Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia, there are several treatment options available. The treatment recommended by your healthcare provider will be based on a number of factors, including the severity of your symptoms.

About a dozen medications in four categories have been shown in clinical trials to provide some pain relief. Your healthcare provider may also recommend TENS or a nerve block. Treatment for postherpetic neuralgia may also involve some temporary changes in your lifestyle.

Medicines Used for Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment

Medicines used to treat the pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia may include one of the following:

Tricyclic antidepressants
Antiseizure medicine, such as gabapentin (Neurontin^®)
Painkillers, such as opiods
Lidoderm^®patch (anesthetic placed directly on the skin).

Not everyone responds the same to these medications, so your doctor may need to try more than one medicine or different strengths of the medicine before the pain is reduced.

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