In a study published in the August, 2011 Archives of Dermatology, researchers claim that taking gabapentin (Neurontin) earlier in the course of shingles can reduce the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful nerve condition that continues after the acute episode has cleared. Presently, gabapentin is approved for use if pain has persisted for 3 months. Eight studies have shown that post-herpetic neuralgia occurs in 15% to 40% of patients. However, the largest shingles study ever conducted (in 2005, NEJM) showed a rate of 12%.

COMMENT: This study did not have any control group, instead comparing it to other studies. It is noted that the incidence of PHN in this study was the same as in the largest study, which indicates no added benefit from gabapentin, despite the researcher's claims. It is further noted that both acupuncture and low level energy ("cold") laser are very effective in treating both acute shingles and PHN, and are much cheaper as well as having no side effects (gabapentin causes drowsiness in many patients). Hopefully someday, these two modalities can be compared directly against drugs for PHN.