Abstract

GARVI, M.; VILLANUEVA, V. L.; ASENSIO, J. M.  and  ANDRES, J. A. de. Use of pregabalin in postherpetic neuralgia refractory to standard therapy. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.6, pp.377-381. ISSN 1134-8046.

Following an episode of acute herpes zoster, pain lasting more than 3 months and extending beyond the skin lesions is classified as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) (1). Several drugs have been used for the treatment of PHN, including nonopiate analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, phenothiazines, anti-arrhythmics and opiate agents, with varying rates of success (2). Tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentin are currently considered the firstline treatment of PHN (2); however, the inclusión of pregabalin as firstline therapy approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain has opened up new perspectives (3). The purpose of this study is to demónstrate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin (LYRICA^®) in the treatment of neuropathic pain in PHN refractory to standard therapy. We conducted a study of the efficacy and safety of pregabalin therapy in 10 patients with PHN lasting more than 3 months and poor response to standard medical therapy. The primary endpoint was the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline and every month throughout the 4 months of data collection. Medications were uptitrated monthly if a reduction of more than 30% was not achieved with the previous dosage. After the assessment of the first month of treatment with pregabalin, a reduction of VAS pain by more than 30% from baseline was achieved in half of the patients, with similar results being obtained at the second and third months of treatment. Pregabalin proved to be a highly efficient drug for the reduction of pain in PHN refractory to standard therapy, with a low level of side effects.

Keywords : Neuropathic pain; VAS; Side effects; Postherpetic neuralgia; Pregabalin.

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