Articles: neuralgia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Oral brivudin in comparison with acyclovir for herpes zoster: a survey study on postherpetic neuralgia.
This concerns a double-blind survey study on 608 herpes zoster patients treated with 1x 125 mg oral brivudin (n=309) or 5x 800 mg acyclovir (n=299), both for 7 days, during two prospective, randomised clinical herpes zoster trials. The survey aimed at evaluating the outcome of the two treatment regimens on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). During a follow-up ranging from 8 to 17 months after start of treatment, former study participants aged >/=50 years were interviewed for the occurrence of PHN. ⋯ The incidence of PHN, defined as zoster-associated pain occurring or persisting after rash healing was significantly lower in brivudin recipients (32.7%) than in acyclovir recipients (43.5%, P=0.006). Mean duration of PHN was similar with brivudin (173 days) and acyclovir (164 days, P=0.270). Despite some methodological disadvantages common to this type of study, the present survey provides for the first evidence that brivudin treatment during acute herpes zoster favourably affects the incidence of PHN in immunocompetent elderly herpes zoster patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Lamotrigine for HIV-associated painful sensory neuropathies: a placebo-controlled trial.
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lamotrigine (LTG) for the treatment of pain in HIV-associated sensory neuropathies. ⋯ Lamotrigine was well-tolerated and effective for HIV-associated neuropathic pain in patients receiving neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy. Additional research is warranted to understand the differing response among patients receiving neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy compared with those not receiving neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intravenous adenosine alleviates neuropathic pain: a double blind placebo controlled crossover trial using an enriched enrolment design.
Adenosine analogs produce analgesic actions in nociceptive paradigms and alleviate manifestations of neuropathic pain in nerve injury models in rodents. In humans, previous work indicates an analgesic effect for adenosine administered intravenously in postoperative and neuropathic pain. In this double blind placebo controlled crossover trial, we used an enriched enrolment design to determine the effects of intravenous adenosine (50 microg/kg/min over 60min) on neuropathic pain. ⋯ Adenosine also led to a significant reduction in pinprick hyperalgesia, but not in allodynia. Three patients from Phase 1 of the trial experienced long term resolution of their pain following intravenous adenosine (5,16,25 months). The results of this study support previous reports that indicate intravenous adenosine alleviates neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Venlafaxine versus imipramine in painful polyneuropathy: a randomized, controlled trial.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) are often used in the treatment of painful polyneuropathy. Venlafaxine is a serotonin and weak noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor antidepressant with a different profile of other pharmacologic actions from those of TCA. ⋯ Venlafaxine relieves pain in polyneuropathy and may be as effective as imipramine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pregabalin for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). ⋯ Treatment of PHN with pregabalin is safe, efficacious in relieving pain and sleep interference, and associated with greater global improvement than treatment with placebo.