Abstract
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of pregabalin for the relief of postherpetic neuralgia. Three hundred seventy-one patients whose pain persisted>3 months after healing of a herpes zoster skin rash were randomized to receive daily pregabalin 150, 300, 600 mg or placebo for 13 weeks. Pain was relieved as early as the first week after treatment in all pregabalin groups compared with the placebo group. Endpoint mean pain scores were significantly reduced with pregabalin 300 and 600 mg/day compared with placebo. Sleep disturbance, allodynia, and hyperalgesia improved in all three pregabalin groups. The most common adverse events were dizziness, somnolence, constipation, peripheral edema, and weight gain. Adverse events appeared dose related and were generally mild to moderate in intensity. We conclude that pregabalin is useful for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
