Trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia responsive to treatment with capsaicin 8 % topical patch: A case report

Jennifer Sayanlar, Nilufer Guleyupoglu, Russell Portenoy, Sait Ashina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia has been variably defined but is generally understood to be pain that persists for longer than a few months after an attack of herpes zoster. Pain persists for years in approximately 10 % of those afflicted with acute herpes zoster. The likelihood of postherpetic neuralgia increases with older age, severity of the zoster, trigeminal location, and other factors. Postherpetic neuralgia is a neuropathic pain and treatment usually involves sequential trials of topical and systemic drugs; a variety of other therapies may be considered in refractory cases. A new topical capsaicin 8 % patch has been approved for this indication based on the positive studies in patients with non-trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia. Experience with the use of the capsaicin 8 % patch for trigeminal distribution neuralgia is lacking. We report a case of trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia which was safely and effectively treated with capsaicin 8 % patch.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)587-589
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Headache and Pain
Volume13
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012
Externally publishedYes

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