The Journal of family practice
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Our goal was to determine if any treatment of acute herpes zoster alters the incidence or duration of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a common sequela in elderly patients. ⋯ There is limited evidence that current interventions prevent or shorten PHN. Famciclovir and valacyclovir have been shown to reduce the duration of PHN in single published trials. Well-designed and larger trials of amitriptyline and PENS should be conducted.