Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: Focus on pregabalin

Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a devastating, chronic pain syndrome that can develop following an outbreak of herpes zoster and becomes increasingly common as patients age. PHN can be diffi cult to treat and often requires trials of multiple agents to achieve significant pain relief. Pregabalin is the newest agent to gain approval for PHN. Data suggest effi cacy for relief of pain and sleep disturbance secondary to PHN in affected patients. Although there are no head-to-head comparisons, pregabalin appears comparable to gabapentin and other fi rst-line agents for treating PHN. © 2009 Cappuzzo, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.