Effect of Early Use of Oxycodone During the Acute Phase of Herpes Zoster on Preventing Postherpetic Neuralgia
Herpes Zoster, Post-herpetic Neuralgia
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Herpes Zoster
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Provide written informed consent. Male or female patients of 50 years of age and older. Diagnosis of uncomplicated herpes zoster presenting within the first 7 days of vesicles.
Average pain score pre-therapy greater or equal than 4 on a 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS; 0 = no pain; 10 = worst possible pain).
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with a history of chronic pain. Patients with immune dysfunction including congenital immune deficiency, active malignancy of any type, collagen vascular diseases, organ or bone marrow transplantations, known infection with HIV or severe atopic dermatitis.
Patients who have received cytotoxic drugs or immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., chronic systemic corticosteroids) within the previous 3 months.
Patients who have received systemic anti-VZV medications or immunomodulatory medications (including interferon) within the previous 4 weeks.
Patients with impaired renal function: calculated creatinine clearance of <30 mL/min using Cockcroft and Gault formula.
Patients with abnormal liver function (alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate;transaminase (AST) levels greater than five times the upper limit of the normal range).
Patients with a history of intolerance or hypersensitivity to acyclovir, penciclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, gabapentin or oxycodone.
Patients with alcohol or drug abuse history within the previous 5 years. Patients currently receiving therapy with opioid analgesics or tramadol. Patients currently receiving therapy with gabapentin or tricyclic antidepressants.
Pregnant females and nursing mothers.
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
oxycodone
standard treatment
Oxycodone 20mg/day, for 4 weeks and famciclovir 500mg three-times daily for 7 days.
Gabapentin 900mg/day, titrated up to max tolerated dose or 1800mg/day (whichever is lower), for 4-12 weeks and famciclovir 500mg three-times daily for 7 days.