Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What class of drugs is recommended for managing post-herpetic neuralgia?

1. SSRIs

2. Atypical antidepressants

3. TCAs

4. Benzodiazepines

The correct answer is: TCAs

The recommended class of drugs for managing post-herpetic neuralgia is tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). TCAs, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, have been shown to be effective in providing pain relief for neuropathic conditions, including post-herpetic neuralgia. They work by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin, which can help modulate pain signals in the nervous system. Their use in the treatment of chronic nerve pain stems from their ability to enhance descending inhibitory pathways and decrease the perception of pain. Other classes of drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and atypical antidepressants, while they may offer some benefit for mood disorders or other types of pain, are not as consistently effective as TCAs for neuropathic pain specifically. Benzodiazepines are generally not recommended for managing neuropathic pain and may even contribute to dependence and other side effects, making them a less favorable option for long-term management of post-herpetic neuralgia.