Abstract:

Objective     To estimate the effectiveness of analgecine injection on postherpetic neuralgia(PHN). Methods     A total of 87 elderly outpatients suffering from PHN were enrolled. All patients aged more than 60 years were randomly divided into group A and group B: patients in group A were treated with conventional therapy, including analgesia, neurotrophic, and physical therapies,  whereas patients in group B were given additional 3.6IU of analgecine twice daily for 15 days. All patients were tested by VAS and QS when treated (T0) and followed-up for 7 days(T1),15days(T2),and 1 month(T3). Results     Scores of VAS and QS in group A and group B were significantly ameliorated compared with those before treatment (P<0.01).As time went on, there was a more significant amelioration in group B than that in group A. Compared with group A, there was no side effect related with analgecine injection in group B, such as hepatic lesion and anaphylactic reactions. Conclusion     Analgecine injection can rapidly and significantly alleviate the dispersion of pain and improve the QS of the patients with PHN. Analgecine injection is effective and safe in the treatment of PHN.

Key words: Postherpetic neuralgia; Extracts from rabbit skin inflamed by vaccinia virus; Visual analogue scale1