Shingles Pain Treatment Will Benefit Mor...(herpetic neuralgia willfurther establish...),Health

Heather Wallace, Chairman of Pain Concern commented: "The SMC is to be congratulated on its revised decision for Versatis. They've taken a huge step forward in extending options for pain relief for people living with neuropathic pain. This decision will alleviate a lot of suffering".

The risk of developing PHN increases with age - it is most common in people aged over 50. About half of shingles cases affecting people of the age of 65 will cause PHN(7,8).

Prescribing Information

Versatis 5% medicated plaster. Refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for full details on side effects, warnings and contra-indications before prescribing. Presentation: Versatis is a medicated plaster (10cm x 14cm) containing 700 mg (5% w/w) of lidocaine in an aqueous adhesive base. Indication: Treatment of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster infection (post-herpetic neuralgia, PHN). Dosage and method of administration: Adults and elderly patients: Use up to three plasters for up to 12 hours, followed by at least a 12 hour plaster-free interval. Cover painful area once daily. Apply the plaster to intact, dry, non-irritated skin (after healing of the shingles). Remove hairs in affected area with scissors (do not shave). Remove the plaster from sachet and its surface liner before applying immediately to the skin. Plasters may be cut to size. Patients under 18 years: Not recommended. Contra-indications: Hypersensitivity to active substance, any excipients, or local anaesthetics of amide type (e.g. bupivacaine, etidocaine, mepivacaine and prilocaine). Warnings and precautions: Do not apply to inflamed or injured skin (e.g. active herpes zoster lesions, atopic dermatitis or wounds), mucous membranes or the eyes. Plasters contain pr
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