Oxcarbazepine monotherapy in postherpetic neuralgia unresponsive to carbamazepine and gabapentin.
OBJECTIVE
We present the results of a preliminary, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) unresponsive to treatment with antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine and gabapentin) and local anesthetic blocks.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients were treated with oxcarbazepine monotherapy for 8 weeks. Starting dose was 150 mg/day, subsequently increased by 150 mg/day every 2 days until a maintenance dose of 900 mg/day. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS).


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in the mean VAS score following 8 weeks of treatment (Delta=5.33; paired t-test: P <0.0001) compared with baseline. Oxcarbazepine was effective from the first week of treatment. There was a significant reduction in allodynia, leading to improvements in patients' functioning and quality of life. Oxcarbazepine was generally well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxcarbazepine appears to be a promising alternative monotherapeutic approach for patients affected by PHN.
Criscuolo
S
S
U.O.C. Terapia Antalgica e Terapia Postoperatoria, Azienda Ospedaliera Senese Policlinico Le Scotte Siena, Italy.
Auletta
C
C
Lippi
S
S
Brogi
F
F
Brogi
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D000078330:Oxcarbazepine