IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-10-22985 Original Research Paper A comparative study to evaluate the analgesic effect of amitriptyline and pregabalin in acute phase of herpes zoster. Rajmala Jaiswal Dr. Dr. Surbhi Dayal Dr. Dr. Garima Vashisht Dr. October 2019 8 10 01 02 ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION We present a study in which 90 patients of age ≥ 40 years, diagnosed as herpes zoster, divided into three groups and subsequently followed up for 14 weeks to assess the severity of pain using the Visual analogue scale (VAS) score. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients in group A, B and C were given tab. amitriptyline 25 mg at night, tab. pregabalin 75 mg twice daily and only conventional analgesics for 12 weeks respectively. VAS score was assessed after every 2 weeks, for 14 weeks. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULT VAS scores were significantly lower in group A and group B as compared to group C at various time periods till 14 weeks (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION We conclude that starting tab. amitriptyline or tab. pregabalin in acute phase of herpes zoster can significantly reduce the severity of pain in later course.