Phase III Randomized Controlled Study of Morphine and Nortriptyline in the Management of Postherpetic Neuralgia

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Pain; Herpes Zoster

• Registration Number: NCT00004390
• Lead Sponsor: National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Brief Summary

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether opioid (morphine) treatment results in better management of pain than treatment with tricyclic antidepressant (nortriptyline).

II. Assess the effects the two treatments have on affective and cognitive functions.

III. Determine whether the presence of psychiatric comorbidity, particularly depression, can predict the outcome of the two treatments.

Detailed Description

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double blind, crossover study. Patients are stratified by the duration of pain (greater than 1 year or no greater than 1 year) and the presence or absence of major depression.

Patients are randomized into 6 treatment order groups. Patients start with nortriptyline, morphine, or placebo, taken orally every day. If patients are unable to tolerate nortriptyline or morphine, they will receive desipramine or methadone instead.

A drug titration period lasting 3 weeks is ensued for administration of the first drug treatment. The goal of this titration period is to gradually increase the dose of the drug to obtain maximal analgesic efficacy. Drug dosage is maintained for a period of 3 weeks. The drug dosage is tapered off and followed by a drug free period of 1 week.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 1995-02
• Study First Submitted: 1999-10-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 1999-10-18
• Study First Posted: 1999-10-19
• Status Verified: 2000-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2005-06-23
• Last Update Posted: 2005-06-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 120

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER