Conclusion Based on the current evidence , BTX-A may be an effective and safe option for the treatment of neuralgia .
Aim This meta- analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin-A ( BTX-A ) for the treatment of neuralgia .
Subcutaneous injection of botulinum toxin a is beneficial in postherpetic neuralgia.
OBJECTIVE To assess the benefits of subcutaneous injection of botulinum toxin A ( BTX-A ) for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia ( PHN ) . DESIGN We investigated the therapeutic benefits of BTX-A in subjects with PHN in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study . Sixty subjects with PHN were r and omly and evenly distributed into BTX-A , lidocaine , and placebo groups . MEASURES After r and omization , one of the following solutions was injected subcutaneously in the affected dermatome : 5u/mL BTX-A , 0.5 % lidocaine , or 0.9 % saline ( placebo ) .  Visual analog scale ( VAS ) pain and sleeping time ( hours ) were evaluated at the time of pretreatment , day 1 , day 7 , and 3 months posttreatment . Opioid usage was calculated at day 7 and 3 months posttreatment . RESULTS Compared with pretreatment , VAS pain scores decreased at day 7 and 3 months posttreatment in all three groups ( P<0.01 ) . However , the VAS pain scores of the BTX-A group decreased more significantly compared with lidocaine and placebo groups at day 7 and 3 months posttreatment ( P<0.01 ) . Sleep time ( hours ) had improved at day 7 and at 3 months compared with pretreatment in all three groups , but the BTX-A group improved more significantly compared with lidocaine and placebo groups ( P<0.01 ) . The percent of subjects using opioids posttreatment in the BTX-A group was the lowest ( 21.1 % ) compared with the lidocaine ( 52.6 % ) and placebo ( 66.7 % ) groups ( P<0.01 ) . CONCLUSIONS Subcutaneous administration of BTX-A significantly decreased pain in PHN and reduced opioid use compared with lidocaine and placebo at day 7 and 3 months post-treatment . It also increased subjects ' sleep times
Conclusion Based on the current evidence , BTX-A may be an effective and safe option for the treatment of neuralgia .
Aim This meta- analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin-A ( BTX-A ) for the treatment of neuralgia .