Effectiveness of prostaglandin E1 for the treatment of patients with neuropathic pain following herpes zoster.

摘要: OBJECTIVE Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most painful neuropathic conditions, mechanism which remains unclear. There no universally accepted treatment. The pain in PHN often relieved by bathing, heating, or sympathetic blockade, suggesting a circulation-dependent property pain. Therefore, we examined effectiveness prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)), has an analgesic effect via improvement peripheral blood circulation, for patients with PHN. DESIGN A total 27 underwent intravenous administration 60 microg PGE(1) dissolved 100 mL physiological saline and 5 8.4% sodium bicarbonate solution at infusion rate 0.02 microg/kg/min. Oral PGE(1), limaprost alfadex, was followed doses 30 microg/day 2 weeks. Pain rest tactile allodynia before after treatment evaluated visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS Intravenous significantly decreased VAS without severe adverse effects. continued during weeks oral PGE(1). caused nausea seven cases, diarrhea three, abdominal distention subject. All subjects, except two cases nausea, until end study, although some required decrease dose to 15 microg/day. During 2-week administration, did not change remarkably three whose were least 80% initial infusion. CONCLUSIONS results present study indicate that following produces prompt continuous analgesia Moreover, using appears useful predicting patients.