Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and often intractable neuropathic pain
syndrome predominantly affecting the elderly. Topical local anesthetics have shown promise
in both uncontrolled and controlled studies. Thirty-five subjects with established PHN
affecting the torso or extremities completed a four-session, random order, double-blind,
vehicle-controlled study of the analgesic effects of topically applied 5% lidocaine in the form
of a non-woven polyethylene adhesive patch. All subjects had allodynia on examination. Up …