Effect of a single dose of pregabalin on herpes zoster pain

Christina Jensen-Dahm, Michael C Rowbotham, Haatem Reda, Karin Lottrup Petersen, Christina Jensen-Dahm, Michael C Rowbotham, Haatem Reda, Karin Lottrup Petersen

Abstract

Background: The effect of pregabalin on acute herpes zoster pain has not been previously evaluated.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-session crossover study the effect of a single oral dose of pregabalin (150 mg) on pain and allodynia was evaluated in 8 subjects with herpes zoster.

Results: Over 6 hours of observation, pain decreased by a mean of 33% with pregabalin and 14% with placebo (p < 0.10). Effects on allodynia and SF-MPQ were not significant.

Conclusions: Compared to an earlier study of gabapentin 900 mg for acute zoster pain and allodynia that followed a nearly identical protocol, pregabalin had a similar effect on pain and was well tolerated, with no difference from placebo on sleepiness. Common side effects of light-headedness, unsteady gait, and slowed thinking were almost identical to that observed in the earlier study of gabapentin. Subject recruitment proved difficult in part due to the widespread off-label use of gabapentin and pregabalin for acute zoster pain in our region of the USA.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00352651.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT Statement. * Screened subjects excluded before randomization due to: not enough pain (1), BMI < 20 (1), creatinine clearance <60 ml/min (2), significant medical or psychiatric illness (4), medication (1), unclear diagnosis (1), withdrew consent (8).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percent reduction in median pain VAS (placebo and pregabalin) at specific time points after medication administration. A larger negative number means greater reduction in pain. * p < 0.05.

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Source: PubMed

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