Two Cases of Postherpetic Neuralgia Recurring after Withdrawal of Kampo Medicine Including Uzu / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

We experienced two cases of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) improved with Kampo medicines that include uzu (i.e. uzu-zai).The pain from PHN was improved via the administration of an uzu-zai in these 2 cases, worsened by its discontinuation, and improved again by its re-introduction.Case 1 : A 76-year-old male suffering from PHN of the right L 2-3 area was administered uzukeishito and obtained pain reduction. After 12 months, his prescription was changed from uzukeishito to keishikaryoju-tsubuto. Then, after only 2 days his pain worsened again. Uzukeishito treatment was re-instated, and he again obtained pain reduction. Case 2 : An 82-year-old male suffering from PHN of the right C 4-5 area was given uzuto and obtained pain relief. After 3 months his prescription was changed from uzuto to keishikajutsubuto. Then, after only1week his pain worsened again. Uzuto was then re-introduced, and pain reduction was achieved again. These two cases led to two suggestions. First, that the uzu-zais were very effective against the PHN pain. Second, that this effect of an uzu-zai against PHN pain might be a symptomatic rather than a radical treatment.These two cases highlight the fact that the use of an uzu-zai was instrumental in reducing PHN-associated pain, but further studies will be needed to determine a dosage protocol, including when and at what pace uzu-zais might be reduced/discontinued.