Overview

Mannitol Cream for Post Herpetic Neuralgia

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-04-30
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
30% mannitol cream has shown its ability to reduce the activation of the Capsaicin (TRPV1) (Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1) receptor, a likely cause of the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). This randomized placebo-controlled crossover study compares PHN pain one week before, for one week on the randomly assigned mannitol versus placebo cream and, after a three day washout, for one week on the other cream. Following this crossover study, participants receive mannitol cream for three months. Pain levels will be checked to assess whether continued use of this cream significantly reduces the pain levels associated with PHN. If pain persists beyond 3 months, participants will be offered mannitol and menthol cream for one month following which their pain levels will be checked.
Phase:
Phase 1/Phase 2
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of British Columbia
Treatments:
Mannitol
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria

1. - Suffering from post-herpetic neuralgia on the trunk or the extremities for at least
three months.

2. - Maximum daily pain score greater than or equal to 5/10.

3. - Having failed to improve with at least one neuropathic pain medication.

4- Able and willing to fill a fluid survey NRS pain scale and a medication intake
questionnaire daily, preferably online but on paper, if unable, for the first 24 days of
the study, then once a month for three months..

5 - Preferably have access to someone who can apply cream to their back if they have pain
in the back and cannot reach the area.

6 - If that is not possible, ability to apply the cream to their own back, using an
applicator which will be supplied.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Allergies to any of the ingredients of the cream

2. Open lesions or abrasions on the skin where the cream will be applied

3. Using corticosteroids

4. Unwilling to stop using other topical products (creams or patches) for the treatment
of post-herpetic neuralgia

5. Pregnant, breast-feeding or not using birth control

6. Suffering from severe chronic pain from a cause other than post-herpetic neuralgia

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