TREATMENT OF POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA

Treatment of established postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) includes drug-th erapy, local infiltration, and neurosurgical procedures. PHN is diffic ult to treat, and therapy must be individualized. Analgesics and anest hetic drugs are commonly used, but have limited value. Tricyclic antid epressants, anticonvulsant drugs and neuroleptics are important compon ents of therapy. Capsaicin in high concentrations may releav burning p ain, but the effect is still controversial discussed. Neurosurgical pr ocedures are treatments of last resort.