Corticosteroids for preventing postherpetic neuralgia

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current available evidence, we are uncertain about the effects of corticosteroids given orally during an acute herpes zoster infection on preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Corticosteroids given orally or intramuscularly may result in little to no difference in the risk of adverse events in people with acute herpes zoster. Some researchers have recommended using corticosteroids to relieve the zoster-associated pain in the acute phase of the disease. If further research is designed to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids for herpes zoster, long-term follow-up should be included to observe their effect on the transition from acute pain to postherpetic neuralgia. Future trials should include measurements of function and quality of life, as well as updated measures of pain.PMID:38050854 | PMC:PMC10696631 | DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD005582.pub5
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews - Category: General Medicine Authors: Source Type: research