A schedule for the continuous infusion of nefopam with a consecutive dose reduction in hospitalized patients with postherpetic neuralgia while dose-escalating of oral medications. Each patient received a 3-day intravenous continuous infusion of either nefopam (NFP) with a consecutive dose reduction of 60, 40, and 20 mg/d or NS simultaneously while dose titrations of oral medications for neuropathic pain gradually increased every 3 days. A rescue analgesic, 10 mg of oral codeine, was given at each NPSI score VAS > 40 less than 5 times a day. The efficacy of additional NFP was evaluated by using the neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI) score for 12 days. Adverse effects were also recorded. Discharge criteria after the 12-day-admission included: (1) NPSI score < 40%, (2) spontaneous pain < 3 h during the past 24 h, (3) pain attack < 5 times during the past 24 h, and (4) no serious adverse effects, including dizziness, somnolence, or ataxia.