ATHENA

The study aims to find out whether taking a low dose of amitriptyline soon after getting shingles can prevent pain associated with shingles.

This pain can reduce the quality of life of those affected and can be difficult to treat with standard painkilling medication. Amitriptyline is commonly used to treat pain but we do not know whether it can also prevent the nerve pain of post-herpetic neuralgia:

– A previous small study suggested that a low dose of amitriptyline taken when the shingles rash first appears can prevent post-herpetic neuralgia for some patients.

– This needs to be proven in a bigger trial before the medication can be routinely prescribed for this purpose.

To be eligible to take part you need to:
• Be 50 years old or older.
• Be diagnosed with shingles by a clinician soon after getting the shingles rash.
• Have a healthy immune system and be able to take amitriptyline.
• Be able to complete online or paper questionnaires about your symptoms and use of healthcare.
• Be able to provide informed consent to take part.

If you want to read more please follow this link https://athena-study.bristol.ac.uk/