Mannitol Cream for Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Summary

30% mannitol cream has shown its ability to reduce the activation of the Capsaicin (TRPV1) (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1) receptor, a likely cause of the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). This randomized placebo-controlled crossover study compares PHN pain one week before, for one week on the randomly assigned mannitol versus placebo cream and, after a three day washout, for one week on the other cream. Following this crossover study, participants receive mannitol cream for three months. Pain levels will be checked to assess whether continued use of this cream significantly reduces the pain levels associated with PHN. If pain persists beyond 3 months, participants will be offered mannitol and menthol cream for one month following which their pain levels will be checked.

Timeline

Start

2015-09-30

Primary completion

2016-04-29

Completion

2017-04-30

Publications

• Background Bertrand H, Kyriazis M, Reeves KD, Lyftogt J, Rabago D. Topical Mannitol Reduces Capsaicin-Induced Pain: Results of a Pilot-Level, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. PM R. 2015 Nov;7(11):1111-1117. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 May 12.
• Background Gilron I, Baron R, Jensen T. Neuropathic pain: principles of diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015 Apr;90(4):532-45. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.01.018.
• Background Shannon HJ, Anderson J, Damle JS. Evidence for interventional procedures as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of shingles pain. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2012 Jun;25(6):276-84; quiz 285-6. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000415345.22307.f3.
• Background Szolcsanyi J, Sandor Z. Multisteric TRPV1 nocisensor: a target for analgesics. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2012 Dec;33(12):646-55. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2012.09.002. Epub 2012 Oct 12.

Drugs

Indications