This study was implemented to find out the short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of the 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in elderly patients (≥70 years of age).

After stratification according to age (<70 years and ≥70 years), the data from three European clinical trials was compared. The length of study phase estimated was 4 weeks for study 1, 8 weeks for study 2, and up to 12 months for study 3. Pain intensity, pain relief, allodynia severity, Clinical Global Impression of Change, and Patient Global Impression of Change were the effectiveness outcome measures. The adverse  event documentation was used to estimate the safety.

The mean average pain intensity ameliorated in the elderly by −2.1 (SD 2.1) vs. −2.5 (SD 2.0) for <70 year old patients after 4 weeks, by −1.4 (SD 1.8) vs. −1.7 (SD 1.3) after 8 weeks, and by −1.5 (SD 1.9) vs. −2.7 (SD 2.2) after 12 months. Most patients presented with allodynia (>85% of elderly, >78% of younger patients) were delineated by >51% as painful or extremely painful. During all three trials, allodynia severity was markedly reduced in both groups. Drug-related adverse events were observed in <20% of elderly and <15% of <70 year old patients and were chiefly skin related.

It was culminated that 5% lidocaine medicated plaster provided pain relief and marked reductions in allodynia severity in elderly PHN patients with an outstanding safety profile. This was observed under short- and long-term treatment bracing the addition of the plaster to the treatment armamentarium for this age group.