Observation on clinical efficacy of pregabalin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly. Methods: Sixty-two patients with postherpetic neuralgia in our department were randomly divided into observation group (32 cases) and control group (30 cases). The control group received routine treatment, oral mecobalamin capsules and vitamin B1 tablets, three times a day, one tablet for once, for 2 weeks. The observation group was given orally with pregabalin capsule on the basis of the control group, the initial dose was 75 mg twice a day.If the pain control was not satisfactory, the dosage could be increased to 150 mg twice a day, or reduced appropriately according to the degree of pain relief after taking the drug.The course of treatment was 2 weeks. The VAS, DLQI score and adverse reactions were observed before treatment, in the first week and the second week after treatment. Results: The VAS and the DLQI score in the first week and in the second week after treatment in the observation group were lower than those before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P0.05). The patients in the observation group had adverse reactions such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and constipation, but none of them affected the treatment. No other obvious adverse reactions was observed in the two groups. Conclusion: Pregabalin is safe and effective in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in the elderly.

Keywords

• pregabalin
• elderly
• postherpetic neuralgia