Abstract: Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy of recombinant human interferon α- 2b plus trimetazidine dihydrochloride and trimetazidine dihydrochloride alone on old patients with herpes zoster（ HZ）. Methods 66 patients admitted to our institute during 2010 to 2014 were randomly divided into two groups， the control group has 34 patients and the observateion group has 32 patients. Data were obtained about several clinical indexes， side effects during treatment， clinical efficacy and the incidence of heritage neuralgia after herpes zoster. Results The clinical efficacy is significantly better in the observation group than that in the control group ( P < 0. 05). Pain scores of the patients in the observation group are significantly lower than those in the control group( P < 0. 05). The incidences of heritage neuralgia after herpes zoster between the two groups are not statistically different ( P > 0. 05). Conclusion The therapeutic efficacy of recombinant human interferon α- 2b plus trimetazidine dihydrochloride is better than trimetazidine dihydrochloride alone on old patients with herpes zoster， and do not have more side effects. But it has no obvious effect in reducing heritage neuralgia after herpes zoster.

Key words: recombinant human interferon α- 2b, trimetazidine dihydrochloride, herpes zoster in old patients, geriatric medicine