Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia With Intravenous Administration of Zinc Sulfate: A Case Report. Issue 1 (1st July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Yao-Tsung; Lan, Kuo-Mao; Wang, Li-Kai; Chen, Jen-Yin
• Is Part Of: A & A practice. Volume 11:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07-01
• Subjects: Analgesia -- Periodicals; Analgesia -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Anesthesiology -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000712
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2575-3126

Abstract

Abstract : Gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) are first-line drugs for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), but some PHN patients have inadequate therapeutic response. Zinc deficiency has been identified as a risk factor for PHN. Zinc can alleviate pain through binding to Ca(v)3.2 T-channels and N -methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Mechanisms of gabapentinoids on neuropathic pain include inhibiting N -methyl-D-aspartate receptors and calcium channels. The aforementioned findings provide a molecular pain-relieving basis for zinc supplements as an add-on therapy to pregabalin. We report 2 zinc-deficient PHN patients who received zinc sulfate intravenously as an add-on therapy to pregabalin and responded well.