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Medications for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Other names: Persisting Pain, Shingles

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.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Neurontin 7.7 17 reviews for Neurontin to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
gabapentin 7.4 59 reviews for gabapentin to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin systemic
Brand names:
Neurontin, Gralise, Gabarone
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Lyrica 6.7 27 reviews for Lyrica to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C 5 X
Generic name:
pregabalin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Gralise 7.5 8 reviews for Gralise to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lidoderm 1.9 29 reviews for Lidoderm to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx B N
Generic name:
lidocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Gabarone Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Horizant 9.3 6 reviews for Horizant to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin enacarbil systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
nortriptyline Off-label 10 1 review for nortriptyline to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx N N X
Generic name:
nortriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
pregabalin 6.6 32 reviews for pregabalin to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C 5 X
Generic name:
pregabalin systemic
Brand names:
Lyrica, Lyrica CR
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
capsaicin 4.7 20 reviews for capsaicin to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Brand names:
Capzasin, Zostrix, Qutenza, Axsain, Capsin, Capzasin-HP, Capzasin-P, Sloan's Liniment, Zostrix Diabetic Foot Pain, Zostrix Neuropathy, Capzasin Back and Body, Castiva Warming, Menthac Arthritis Cream with Capsaicin, Zostrix Sports
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clonidine Off-label 10 1 review for clonidine to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C N X
Generic name:
clonidine systemic
Drug class:
antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
gabapentin enacarbil 8.3 10 reviews for gabapentin enacarbil to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx C N X
Generic name:
gabapentin enacarbil systemic
Brand name:
Horizant
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
lidocaine 1.9 29 reviews for lidocaine to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
lidocaine topical
Brand names:
Lidoderm, ZTlido, CidalEaze, Lidocan III
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Capzasin 10 1 review for Capzasin to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Zostrix Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
ZTlido Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
lidocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lyrica CR Rate Add review
Rx C 5 X
Generic name:
pregabalin systemic
Drug class:
gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Qutenza Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Axsain Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Capsin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Capzasin-HP 4.8 4 reviews for Capzasin-HP to treat Postherpetic Neuralgia
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Capzasin-P Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
CidalEaze Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
lidocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lidocan III Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
lidocaine topical
Drug class:
topical anesthetics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Sloan's Liniment Rate Add review
Rx/OTC B N
Generic name:
capsaicin topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Learn more about Postherpetic Neuralgia

Care guides

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
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.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
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
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.