title: Effect of a single dose of pregabalin on herpes zoster pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of pregabalin on acute herpes zoster pain has not been previously evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared 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.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00352651.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jensen-Dahm
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.forename: Haatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reda
authors.forename: Karin Lottrup
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002140:California; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018579:Patient Selection; D000069583:Pregabalin; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid