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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Gabapentin Be Taken For Shingles Pain?

I have just been diagnosed with shingles, and heard that gabapentin or pregabalin is a good drug to take for the pain. I have also taken Horizant in the past for nerve pain, but it makes me very sleepy wondered which of these meds is best for the pain of shingles?
Mon, 9 Apr 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Yes, but Gabapentin drug can also cause drowsiness.

No, single treatment relieves post-herpetic (post shingles) neuralgia in all people. You may have to take a combination of treatments to reduce the pain.

Apart from Gabapentin and Pregablin which are the standard treatment for post herpetic neuralgia, certain antidepressants like Nortriptyline, Duloxetine and Venlafaxine in low doses are also found to be effective.

However, their common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness and weight gain.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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Can Gabapentin Be Taken For Shingles Pain?

Hello, Yes, but Gabapentin drug can also cause drowsiness. No, single treatment relieves post-herpetic (post shingles) neuralgia in all people. You may have to take a combination of treatments to reduce the pain. Apart from Gabapentin and Pregablin which are the standard treatment for post herpetic neuralgia, certain antidepressants like Nortriptyline, Duloxetine and Venlafaxine in low doses are also found to be effective. However, their common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness and weight gain. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali