Currently, there's no cure for postherpetic neuralgia, but there are treatment options to ease symptoms.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases with age, primarily affecting people older than 60.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

But if the pain lasts long after the shingles rash and blisters have disappeared, it's called postherpetic neuralgia.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia (post-her-PET-ic noo-RAL-jah) is a complication of shingles, which is caused by the chickenpox (herpes zoster) virus.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

Another biopharmaceutical company, DepoMed , is also aiming to get FDA approval for a gabapentin drug, intended to treat menopausal hot flashes and postherpetic neuralgia.

FORBES: FDA Concerns Shake XenoPort, DepoMed

When shingles occurs on the face, for example, the likelihood of postherpetic neuralgia is significantly higher than for other parts of the body.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia affects your nerve fibers and skin, and the burning pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia can be severe enough to interfere with sleep and appetite.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

For most people, postherpetic neuralgia improves over time.

CNN: Postherpetic neuralgia

Shares in DepoMed, a small pharmaceutical enhancer, spiked Monday after the company announced that the FDA had approved the use of its drug Gralise, an oral treatment for postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles that causes sustained pain in nerve fibers and skin.

FORBES: Drug Approval Boosts Cheap Pharma Stock