Table 1. Prevention Drug (Brand) Immunization
Live Varicella Vaccine Varivax®
Live Zoster Vaccine Zostavax®
Anti-virals*
Acyclovir Zovirax®
Valacyclovir Valtrex®
Famciclovir Famvir®
Drug* (Brand) Dose
Topicals
Topical lidocaine 5% Lidoderm®
1-3 patches
1-3 patches for ≤ 12 h q24h
Skin erythema, rash
Possible systemic absorption in patients taking oral therapy with Class 1 antiarrhythmic drugs
Capsaicin 8% Patch Qutenza™
Gabapentin Neurontin®
1-4 patches for 60 minutes Repeat q3mos prn
Anticonvulsants
300-900 mg/d, in divided doses q8h; increase dose daily by 300 mg/d
Pregabalin Lyrica®
Initial: 150 mg/d, in divided doses
q8-12h; May increase to 300 mg/day within 1 week
* See PI for details.
300-600 mg tid (maximum 600 mg tid)
150-300 mg/d (maximum 600 mg/d)
Sedation, ataxia, edema, weight gain, diplopia, nystagmus
Sedation, ataxia, edema, diplopia, weight gain, dry mouth
Simple antacids reduce bioavailability
None documented to date
• Dose adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction
• Dose adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction
Max: 4 patches q3mos Application
site erythema, pain, pruritus and papules
• Patch must be applied to painful area and only to intact skin
• Pretreat with topical anesthetic
800 mg q4h (5 times a day) x 7-10 days
1 g tid x 7 days
500 mg q8h x 7 days
Table 2. Neuropathic Pain Medications FDA-Approved for PHN
Usual Effect Dose (and Maximum)
Adverse Effects
Drug Interactions Comments
Nausea/vomiting, headache, diarrhea
, Proquad® Single subcut dose
Not recommended for use in immunocompromised individuals or persons under 60 years old
Dosage 2 subcut doses
Adverse Effects
Comments
