EMLA cream in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. Efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile

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Abstract
The analgesic efficacy of 5% EMLA cream (5 or 10 g) when applied for 24 h periods was evaluated in 5 female and 7 male patients (mean age 69 years, range 50-85 years) with refractory post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Mean visual analogue pain intensity scores for all patients were significantly improved 6 h after application (P < 0.05). In a subgroup of patients with facial PHN receiving EMLA cream, 5 g (n = 4), there were significant improvements in pain intensity scores at 6 h (P < 0.05), 8 h (P < 0.01) and 10 h (P < 0.01) after application. Plasma lignocaine and plasma prilocain concentrations were well below potentially toxic levels in all patients after application.