Efficacy of flupentixol and melitracen in optimizing conventional treatment for postherpetic neuralgia

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of flupentixol and melitracen in optimizing conventional treatment for postherpetic neuralgia. Methods Seventy patients of both sexes with thoracolumbar postherpetic neuralgia, were divided into 2 groups (n=35 each) according to the registration order: patients with odd number were included in control group (group C) and patients with even number were included in flupentixol-melitracen group (group D). Patients in group C received conventional treatment: anti-epileptic drugs, analgesia with opioids, neurotrophy, paravertebral nerve block and physical therapy.Flupentixol-melitracen 10.5 mg was taken orally based on the conventional treatment in group D. The time for treatment was recorded.The severity of pain was assessed by using the numeric rating scale, and anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale before treatment and on 3rd and 7th days after treatment.The development of flupenthixol and melitracen-related adverse reactions was recorded during treatment in group D. Results Compared with group C, the numeric rating scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores were significantly decreased on 3rd and 7th days after treatment, and the time for treatment was shortened in group D (P<0.05). No flupenthixol- and melitracen-related adverse reactions were found in group D. Conclusion Flupentixol-melitracen can optimize the conventional therapeutic effect for postherpetic neuralgia. Key words: Postherpetic neuralgia; Flupentixol; Anthracenes