Criscuolo S, Auletta C, Lippi S, Brogi F, Brogi A
U.O.C. Terapia Antalgica e Terapia Postoperatoria, Azienda Ospedaliera Senese Policlinico Le Scotte Siena, Italy.
Acta Neurol Scand. 2005 Apr;111(4):229-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2005.00300.x.
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.
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).
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.
Oxcarbazepine appears to be a promising alternative monotherapeutic approach for patients affected by PHN.
