Effect of Early Use of Oxycodone During the Acute Phase of Herpes Zoster on Preventing Postherpetic Neuralgia

Summary

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) which persists more than 90 days after the resolution of the acute shingles episode is the most common complication of herpes zoster. The continued pain or paresthesia not only affects patient quality of life, but also causes physical disability, emotional distress and social isolation. Conventional treatments for PHN are only partially work in some patients or not work at all in others. Once PHN presences, it is often refractory to the treatment, therefore, it is important to prevent the occurrence of PHN. In the study, the investigators want to identift whether the additional use of oxycodone therapy to current standard treatment in acute herpes zoster patients will decrease the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia.

Timeline

Start

2017-05

Primary completion

2020-05

Completion

2020-11

Publications

• Results Dworkin RH, Barbano RL, Tyring SK, Betts RF, McDermott MP, Pennella-Vaughan J, Bennett GJ, Berber E, Gnann JW, Irvine C, Kamp C, Kieburtz K, Max MB, Schmader KE. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of oxycodone and of gabapentin for acute pain in herpes zoster. Pain. 2009 Apr;142(3):209-217. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2008.12.022. Epub 2009 Feb 4.

Drugs

Indications