American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

Lidocaine patches are considered an effective treatment option for postherpetic neuralgia due to their local analgesic properties. These patches deliver a topical anesthetic directly to the affected area, which can help alleviate pain associated with this condition. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs following a herpes zoster (shingles) infection, leading to severe and persistent pain in the area where the rash was present. The lidocaine patch works by blocking nerve signals in the skin, thereby reducing the sensation of pain in the affected region.

In contrast, high-dose steroids and topical corticosteroids are generally not recommended for treating postherpetic neuralgia as they do not specifically target the nerve pain associated with this condition. Instead, these medications may have more appropriate applications for inflammatory conditions but lack sufficient evidence for effective pain relief in neuropathic pain scenarios. Intravenous antibiotics are also not relevant to managing postherpetic neuralgia since they are designed to treat bacterial infections rather than nerve pain, which is caused by the aftermath of a viral infection.

Overall, the use of lidocaine patches can provide localized relief and is a well-accepted approach in managing the discomfort associated with postherpetic neuralgia.