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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.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Neurontin 7.7 17 reviews
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 7.6 53 reviews
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 6.6 26 reviews
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 7.2 6 reviews
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 2.0 28 reviews
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 9.2 5 reviews
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
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

capsaicin 4.6 18 reviews
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, Castiva Warming, Menthac Arthritis Cream with Capsaicin, Zostrix Sports …show all

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

pregabalin 6.3 29 reviews
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

clonidine Off-label 10 1 review
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 8.1 9 reviews
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 2.0 28 reviews
Rx/OTC B N

Generic name: lidocaine topical

Brand names:  Lidoderm, ZTlido, CidalEaze

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Capzasin 10 1 review
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

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

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

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 3.3 3 reviews
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

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

Zostrix Diabetic Foot Pain 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

Learn more about Postherpetic Neuralgia

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

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.
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.

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