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Medications for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Other names: Persisting Pain, Shingles

About Postherpetic Neuralgia:  Postherpetic neuralgia is pain that lasts for more than a month after a shingles infection occurred. The pain may last for months or years.

Drugs Used to Treat Postherpetic Neuralgia

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
Neurontin C N X 14 reviews
7.0

Generic name: gabapentin systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

gabapentin C N X 45 reviews
7.0

Generic name: gabapentin systemic

Brand names:  Neurontin, Gralise, Gabarone

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Lyrica C 5 X 21 reviews
6.0

Generic name: pregabalin systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Gralise C N X 5 reviews
6.0

Generic name: gabapentin systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Gabarone C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: gabapentin systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Lidoderm B N 10 reviews
2.0

Generic name: lidocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

capsaicin B N 9 reviews
5.0

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Brand names:  Capzasin, Salonpas Pain Patch with Capsaicin, Zostrix, Capsicum Oleoresin, Capsin, Icy Hot PM Patch, Qutenza, Axsain, Capzasin-HP, Capzasin-P, Menthac Arthritis Cream with Capsaicin, Salonpas Gel-Patch, Sloan's Liniment, Trixaicin, Trixaicin HP, Zostrix Diabetic Foot Pain, Capzasin Back and Body, Castiva Warming, Zostrix Sports …show all

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts

Horizant C N X 2 reviews
9.0

Generic name: gabapentin enacarbil systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

gabapentin enacarbil C N X 6 reviews
7.0

Generic name: gabapentin enacarbil systemic

Brand name:  Horizant

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts

nortriptyline Off Label N N X 1 review
10

Generic name: nortriptyline systemic

Drug class: tricyclic antidepressants

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

pregabalin C 5 X 22 reviews
6.0

Generic name: pregabalin systemic

Brand names:  Lyrica, Lyrica CR

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph

clonidine Off Label C N X Add review Rate

Generic name: clonidine systemic

Drug class: antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Off Label: Yes

lidocaine B N 10 reviews
2.0

Generic name: lidocaine topical

Brand names:  Lidoderm, CidalEaze, ZTlido

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Capzasin B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Salonpas Pain Patch with Capsaicin B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Zostrix B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Capsicum Oleoresin B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Capsin B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Icy Hot PM Patch B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Qutenza B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Axsain B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Capzasin-HP B N 2 reviews
4.0

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Capzasin-P B N Add review Rate

Generic name: capsaicin topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

CidalEaze B N Add review Rate

Generic name: lidocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Lyrica CR C 5 X Add review Rate

Generic name: pregabalin systemic

Drug class: gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Learn more about Postherpetic Neuralgia

IBM Watson Micromedex

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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