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Dextromethorphan Versus Placebo for Neuropathic Pain
This study has been completed.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Information provided by: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001344
  Purpose

In our current clinical trial, we are comparing the effects of two NMDA receptor antagonists to placebo in patients with painful distal symmetrical diabetic neuropathy or post-herpetic neuralgia. The treatments in this three-period crossover study are dextromethorphan, up to 920 mg/day (about 8 times the antitussive dose), memantine, 30-50 mg/day, and placebo. Memantine is an NMDA antagonist used in Europe to treat Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The underlying hypothesis, based on studies of painful neuropathies in animal models, is that neuropathic pain is caused largely by sensitization of central nervous system neurons caused by excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters, acting largely through NMDA receptors. A previous small trial of dextromethorphan suggested efficacy in diabetic neuropathy pain. The study requires one visit to the NIH outpatient Pain Research Clinic, and consists of three 9-week treatment periods. Patients who respond to one of the medications will be invited to participate in further controlled studies of the medication followed by up to several years of open-label treatment under continued observation.


Condition Intervention Phase
Diabetic Neuropathies
Herpes Zoster
Neuralgia
Drug: dextromethorphan
Phase II

MedlinePlus related topics: Diabetic Nerve Problems Shingles
Drug Information available for: Memantine Memantine hydrochloride Dextromethorphan Dextromethorphan hydrobromide Levomethorphan Racemethorphan
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Treatment, Safety/Efficacy Study
Official Title: Dextromethorphan Versus Placebo for Neuropathic Pain

Further study details as provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):

Estimated Enrollment: 129
Study Start Date: March 1993
Estimated Study Completion Date: February 2001
Detailed Description:

In our current clinical trial, we are comparing the effects of two NMDA receptor antagonists to placebo in patients with painful distal symmetrical diabetic neuropathy or post-herpetic neuralgia. The treatments in this three-period crossover study are dextromethorphan, up to 920 mg/day (about 8 times the antitussive dose), memantine, 30-50 mg/day, and placebo. Memantine is an NMDA antagonist used in Europe to treat Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. The underlying hypothesis, based on studies of painful neuropathies in animal models, is that neuropathic pain is caused largely by sensitization of central nervous system neurons caused by excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters, acting largely through NMDA receptors. A previous small trial of dextromethorphan suggested efficacy in diabetic neuropathy pain. The study requires one visit to the NIH outpatient Pain Research Clinic, and consists of three 9-week treatment periods. Patients who respond to one of the medications will be invited to participate in further controlled studies of the medication followed by up to several years of open-label treatment under continued observation.

  Eligibility

Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Patients must be over 18 years of age.

Patients must have a definite diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy or post herpetic neuralgia or a diagnosis of neuropathic pain of various etiologies other than diabetic neuropathy or post herpetic neuralgia.

Duration of symptoms must be at least 3 months.

Severity of pain must be at least mild, if constant; or at least moderate, if intermittent and at least 2 hours duration a day.

Patients using tricyclics, narcotics, or antiseizure medications, must keep the drug dosages constant throughout the study.

No patients with unstable disease process; i.e., angina pectoris, accelerated hypertension, recent stroke or transient cerebral ischemia, uncontrolled seizures.

No pregnant or lactating women. Women of child bearing potential must use birth control pills, intrauterine device, or barrier contraceptive devices.

No history of significant drug abuse or PCP use. No history of IV drug abuse, prescription drug abuse, or alcoholism.

No significant liver or kidney disease.

No MAO inhibitors.

No cognitive impairment or language difficulty as judged by difficulty completing pain diary, medical history, or telephone conversation.

Patients must not have any other chronic pain condition that gives them pain greater than the neuropathy pain.

  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00001344

Locations
United States, Maryland
National Institute of Dental And Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Sponsors and Collaborators
  More Information

Publications:
Study ID Numbers: 930114, 93-D-0114
Study First Received: November 3, 1999
Last Updated: March 3, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00001344  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC):
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic Neuropathy
Memantine
NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathy
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Shingles

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Herpes Zoster
Neuralgia, Postherpetic
Excitatory Amino Acids
Diabetic Neuropathies
Neuralgia
Diabetes Mellitus
Endocrine System Diseases
Pain
Herpesviridae Infections
Naphazoline
Virus Diseases
Oxymetazoline
Signs and Symptoms
Neuromuscular Diseases
Guaifenesin
Phenylephrine
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Dextromethorphan
Memantine
Neurologic Manifestations
DNA Virus Infections
Phenylpropanolamine
Endocrinopathy
Diabetes Complications

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Respiratory System Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Therapeutic Uses
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Nervous System Diseases
Excitatory Amino Acid Agents
Antitussive Agents
Central Nervous System Agents
Pharmacologic Actions
Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 15, 2009