Abstract
Seventy-two patients older than 60 years of age who received a diagnosis of herpes zoster (HZ) were entered into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of daily amitriptyline 25 mg. Treatment with either amitriptyline or placebo continued for 90 days after diagnosis. Pain prevalence at 6 months was the primary outcome. Results showed that early treatment with low-dose amitriptyline reduced pain prevalence by more than one-half (p < 0.05; odds ratio, 2.9:1) This finding makes a strong case for the pre-emptive administration of amitriptyline, in combination with an antiviral drug, to elderly patients with acute herpes zoster.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Randomized Controlled Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Amitriptyline / administration & dosage
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Amitriptyline / therapeutic use*
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Chi-Square Distribution
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Double-Blind Method
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Female
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Herpes Zoster / complications*
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Herpes Zoster / drug therapy
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neuralgia / drug therapy*
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Neuralgia / epidemiology
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Neuralgia / etiology
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Odds Ratio
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Pain Measurement / drug effects
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Prevalence
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Prognosis
Substances
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Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
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Amitriptyline