The effects of pre-emptive treatment of postherpetic neuralgia with amitriptyline: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract

Seventy-two patients older than 60 years of age who received a diagnosis of herpes zoster (HZ) were entered into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of daily amitriptyline 25 mg. Treatment with either amitriptyline or placebo continued for 90 days after diagnosis. Pain prevalence at 6 months was the primary outcome. Results showed that early treatment with low-dose amitriptyline reduced pain prevalence by more than one-half (p < 0.05; odds ratio, 2.9:1) This finding makes a strong case for the pre-emptive administration of amitriptyline, in combination with an antiviral drug, to elderly patients with acute herpes zoster.

• Authors: D Bowsher
• Journal: Journal of pain and symptom management (J Pain Symptom Manage) Vol. 13 Issue 6 Pg. 327-31 (Jun 1997) ISSN: 0885-3924 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9204652 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
• Amitriptyline

Topics

• Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Amitriptyline (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Herpes Zoster (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuralgia (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology)
• Odds Ratio
• Pain Measurement (drug effects)
• Prevalence
• Prognosis