post-herpetic neuralgia treated with amitriptyline
Last reviewed 04/2021
The dose of amitriptyline used in the treatment of PHN is determined by the age and/or frailty of the patient:
- robust or patients under 65 years:
- initial dose is 25 mg nocte which may be increased , in weekly increments, by 25 mg per day, until pain pain relief is achieved or side effects become intolerable
- patients rarely require more than 75 mg daily
- frail or patients over 65 years:
- initial dose is 10 mg nocte which may be increased, in weekly increments, by 10 mg per day, according to the criteria described above
Reference:
- Whitaker M (1995). Varicella-zoster virus infections (VZV) and their management. Clinical virology, April, 8-12.