Effect of a single dose of pregabalin on herpes zoster pain

Christina Jensen-Dahm,Karin Lottrup Petersen,Michael C Rowbotham,Haatem Reda

doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-55

Abstract

BackgroundThe effect of pregabalin on acute herpes zoster pain has not been previously evaluated.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-session crossover study the effect of a single oral dose of pregabalin (150 mg) on pain and allodynia was evaluated in 8 subjects with herpes zoster.ResultsOver 6 hours of observation, pain decreased by a mean of 33% with pregabalin and 14% with placebo (p < 0.10). Effects on allodynia and SF-MPQ were not significant.ConclusionsCompared to an earlier study of gabapentin 900 mg for acute zoster pain and allodynia that followed a nearly identical protocol, pregabalin had a similar effect on pain and was well tolerated, with no difference from placebo on sleepiness. Common side effects of light-headedness, unsteady gait, and slowed thinking were almost identical to that observed in the earlier study of gabapentin. Subject recruitment proved difficult in part due to the widespread off-label use of gabapentin and pregabalin for acute zoster pain in our region of the USA.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00352651

Highlights

Herpes zoster (HZ), the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus in sensory ganglia, produces a painful, unilateral, dermatomal rash
We have previously demonstrated that a single oral dose of gabapentin (900 mg) reduces pain and allodynia during HZ [1]
Both pregabalin and gabapentin bind to the a2δ-subunit of the calcium channel [2], but no head-to-head efficacy comparisons have been made. In this randomized, placebocontrolled, two-session, crossover study we evaluated the effect of a single dose of 150 mg of pregablin on pain and allodynia in subjects with HZ using a nearly identical protocol

Summary

Introduction

Herpes zoster (HZ), the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus in sensory ganglia, produces a painful, unilateral, dermatomal rash. We have previously demonstrated that a single oral dose of gabapentin (900 mg) reduces pain and allodynia during HZ [1]. Both pregabalin and gabapentin bind to the a2δ-subunit of the calcium channel [2], but no head-to-head efficacy comparisons have been made. In this randomized, placebocontrolled, two-session, crossover study we evaluated the effect of a single dose of 150 mg of pregablin on pain and allodynia in subjects with HZ using a nearly identical protocol. The effect of pregabalin on acute herpes zoster pain has not been previously evaluated

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion