Abstract | BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: METHODS: Forty-six patients suffering from moderate to severe pain caused by acute herpes zoster infection (within 4 weeks of onset) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel study. Lidocaine patch 5% or vehicle patch were applied to the intact portion of the painful skin area without blisters at 12-hour intervals twice a day for 2 consecutive days. Analgesic efficacy and side effect profiles were assessed before and 48 hours after patch application. RESULTS: We found that both groups of patients experienced significant pain relief during rest and movement. Differences of mean reduction of pain intensity between the two groups were 14.7 (4.7-24.8, P = 0.005) during rest and 10.4 (1.6-19.3, P = 0.007) during movement, favoring the lidocaine patch. The lidocaine patch produced a greater percentage change in a patient's global impression than the vehicle patch. The incidence and severity of adverse events were low with both treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that lidocaine patch 5%, applied twice a day, could serve as a well tolerated and effective modality to relieve moderate to severe pain associated with acute herpes zoster presumably through its pharmacological action and physical barrier effect on sensitized skin.
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Authors | Pei-Lin Lin, Shou-Zen Fan, Chi-Hsiang Huang, Hui-Hsun Huang, Ming-Cheng Tsai, Chen-Jung Lin, Wei-Zen Sun |
Journal | Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
(Reg Anesth Pain Med)
2008 Jul-Aug
Vol. 33
Issue 4
Pg. 320-5
ISSN: 1532-8651 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 18675742
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Anesthetics, Local
- Pharmaceutical Vehicles
- Lidocaine
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adult
- Aged
- Anesthetics, Local
(administration & dosage)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Herpes Zoster
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Lidocaine
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pain Measurement
- Pharmaceutical Vehicles
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