After-Shingles Pain Treatment Options

There are several treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for after-shingles pain:

Orals, which are taken by mouth in a pill form, are absorbed by the body from the inside.

LIDODERM® (lidocaine patch 5%) is a topical (meaning it is applied to the skin) option that is not a pill but a patch. It is the first and only lidocaine-based, topical medicine approved by the FDA for the treatment of after-shingles pain. Skin reactions may develop during or immediately after using LIDODERM.

LIDODERM is generally well tolerated and has a low risk for causing certain side effects throughout your body—even with 3 patches a day. Skin reactions may develop during or immediately after using LIDODERM.

Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional about all medicines you are taking, especially those for an irregular heartbeat.

Some patients like a topical treatment, others prefer a pill. Talk to your healthcare professional about treatments for your after-shingles pain, and together you can find a treatment that best fits your after-shingles pain. One way to prepare for meeting with your healthcare professional is to use the PHN Pain Assessment Tool & Checklist tools provided on this site.

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Indication

LIDODERM® (lidocaine patch 5%) is used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia, also referred to as after-shingles pain. Apply only to intact skin with no blisters.

Important Safety Information

You should not use this product if you are sensitive to local anesthetics such as lidocaine, or to any of the other ingredients in LIDODERM.

Even a used LIDODERM patch contains a large amount of lidocaine. A small child or a pet could suffer serious adverse effects from chewing or swallowing a new or used LIDODERM patch. Store and dispose of patches out of the reach of children, pets and others. Never reuse a patch.

LIDODERM patches should be worn for no more than 12 hours a day. Applying the patches for a longer time or using more than 3 patches could cause serious reactions.

Fold used patches so that the adhesive side sticks to itself, and safely discard used patches or pieces of cut patches where children and pets cannot get to them.

Avoid the use of external heat sources, such as heating pads or electric blankets, as this has not been studied.

Avoid contact of LIDODERM with the eye. If contact occurs, immediately wash the eye with water or saline and protect it until sensation returns.

Be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you have liver disease, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medication for irregular heartbeat. For such people, LIDODERM should be used with caution.

Allergic reactions, though rare, can occur.

During or immediately after using LIDODERM, the skin around the patch may develop a change in color, colored spots, irritation, itching, flaking of the skin, rash, bruising, swelling, pimple-like raised skin, a cyst containing fluid, pain, burning, or abnormal sensation. These reactions are generally mild and go away on their own within a few minutes to hours. Other reactions may include dizziness, headache, and nausea. Tell your healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms while using LIDODERM.

Only your healthcare professional can determine if LIDODERM is right for you. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions when using LIDODERM.

Please see the LIDODERM important product information and discuss it with your healthcare provider.

References

  1. LIDODERM® Complete Prescribing Information. Chadds Ford, PA: Endo Pharmaceuticals; 2010
  2. Qutenza® Complete Prescribing Information. San Mateo, CA; NeurogesX, Inc.; 2009.
  3. Verispan. SDI Physician Drug and Diagnosis Audit. Uses for herpes zoster market by product and concomitant product: postherpetic neuralgia. August 2008.