Antiviral Medications for the Prevention of Postherpetic Neuralgia After Herpes Zoster Infection

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a condition of persistent, refractory pain in an area previously affected by an acute herpes zoster infection. Age remains an important risk factor for the development of PHN, with 40% of patients older than 50 years and 75% of patients 75 years and older developing PHN after an initial episode of shingles.1 Persistent pain can lead to significant long-term problems such as depression, altered activities of daily...