Clinical open‐label study for evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine in the treatment of neuropathic pain

Abstract

Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is a keto‐10‐analogue of carbamazepine (CBZ) with linear pharmacokinetics and a better tolerability profile compared to CBZ. For this reason, OXC has been used in some studies in the treatment of neuropathic pain of various genesis, with administration doses ranging from 300 to 2400 mg/day. In this study we have assessed the efficacy and tolerability of OXC 600 mg/day, a dose considered, based on previous data, the minimal therapeutic dose in the treatment of neuropathic pain in some neuropathies, such as diabetic neuropathy. We have studied 11 patients affected by predominant sensitive painful neuropathy, of metabolic, compressive, inflammatory or dysimmune genesis, clinically characterized by paresthesias, dysesthesias and neuralgic pain not responding to other pharmacologic therapies. At the follow‐up analysis, 7 patients have referred an improvement of painful symptoms, as evidenced by Visual Analogue Scale score, the reduction of which ranged from 20 to 60% compared to baseline values. One patient interrupted the trial for incompliance, two patients for collateral events (excessive sleepiness) and another one for a worsening of clinical picture. In conclusion, our study suggests that OXC can be considered as a valid alternative in the treatment of painful neuropathies owing to its characteristics of tolerability and efficacy in such conditions.