Articles: neuralgia.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA trial of intravenous lidocaine on the pain and allodynia of postherpetic neuralgia.
This study investigated the effect of intravenous lidocaine at two doses (1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg over 2 hours) and an intravenous saline placebo on the pain and allodynia of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Twenty-four patients were studied using a randomized, double-blind, within-patient crossover design. Each patient received normal saline, lidocaine 0.5 mg/kg/h, and lidocaine 2.5 mg/kg/h for a 2-h period. ⋯ Placebo had no significant effect on the area of allodynia. These findings demonstrate a positive effect on pain and allodynia following a brief intravenous infusion of lidocaine. The higher dose infusion may produce plasma levels in the toxic range, with no significant clinical increase in response.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Topical lidocaine patch relieves postherpetic neuralgia more effectively than a vehicle topical patch: results of an enriched enrollment study.
This study compared the efficacy of topical lidocaine patches versus vehicle (placebo) patches applied directly to the painful skin of subjects with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) utilizing an 'enriched enrollment' study design. All subjects had been successfully treated with topical lidocaine patches on a regular basis for at least 1 month prior to study enrollment. Subjects were enrolled in a randomized, two-treatment period, vehicle-controlled, cross-over study. ⋯ No statistical difference was noted between the active and placebo treatments with regards to side effects. Thus, topical lidocaine patch provides significantly more pain relief for PHN than does a vehicle patch. Topical lidocaine patch is a novel therapy for PHN that is effective, does not cause systemic side effects, and is simple to use.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIontophoretic vincristine in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
The effect of iontophoretic administration of vincristine in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was investigated in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty patients with intercostal or lumbar PHN for more than 6 months that was unresponsive to conventional medical therapy were randomized to receive vincristine 0.01% (n = 11) or saline (n = 9), by iontophoresis over 1 hour daily for 20 days. Demographics and median duration of pain were similar in both groups. ⋯ Moderate or greater pain relief was maintained in 30% of patients with vincristine and 33% of patients with placebo at follow-up on day 90. We conclude that iontophoresed vincristine is no better than iontophoresed saline in the treatment of PHN. The maintained improvement in both groups at 3 months follow-up may reflect the natural history of PHN, or might possibly by related to a beneficial effect of iontophoresis.
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Review Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Postherpetic neuralgia: role of gabapentin and other treatment modalities.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic and painful condition that may occur after a herpes zoster infection. The frequency of PHN after untreated zoster varies widely. Age is the most important risk factor for development of PHN. ⋯ Until recently, carbamazepine was the only antiepileptic drug evaluated for the treatment of PHN. Over the past few years, however, gabapentin has received increasing attention as a useful treatment for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin lacks significant drug-drug interactions and has a favorable safety profile, which makes it particularly useful for treatment of PHN.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Gabapentin for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a syndrome of often intractable neuropathic pain following herpes zoster (shingles) that eludes effective treatment in many patients. ⋯ Gabapentin is effective in the treatment of pain and sleep interference associated with PHN. Mood and quality of life also improve with gabapentin therapy.