Calcitonin added to standard care for acute herpes zoster
Official title: The Prophylactic Value of Subcutaneous Calcitonin in Acute Herpes Zoster Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Tanta University · NCT07655804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers test whether subcutaneous calcitonin, given with standard treatment, helps people 50 and older with acute herpes zoster see less pain and lower risk of long-term nerve pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 168 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Tanta University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tanta, Gharbia Governorate) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07655804 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 50 years or older with acute herpes zoster of less than seven days and moderate to severe pain, without coagulation, hepatic, cardiovascular, or renal contraindications to calcitonin.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with contraindications to calcitonin or those unlikely to develop postherpetic neuralgia may derive little to no benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This phase 3 randomized trial investigates adding subcutaneous calcitonin to the usual care for adults with acute herpes zoster. Participants with rash for less than seven days and moderate to severe pain are assigned to receive calcitonin or saline in addition to standard treatment. The goal is to see if calcitonin reduces acute pain and lowers the chance of developing postherpetic neuralgia. The intervention is given in an outpatient setting, focusing on safer, non-epidural administration. The study leverages prior evidence of calcitonin’s analgesic effects in other conditions and explores its preventive potential for neuralgia after shingles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience better acute pain control and a reduced likelihood of postherpetic neuralgia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior reports suggest calcitonin can ease acute pain in other conditions, but no randomized trials have tested its preventive role for postherpetic neuralgia in shingles.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patients aged ≥ 50 years, with acute herpes zoster infection (rash duration \< 7 days) and moderate to severe pain. Exclusion Criteria: * Coagulation abnormalities * Pre-existing other pain syndrome or psychological disorders. * Severe hepatic, cardiovascular, or renal disorders. * Allergy to calcitonin.
Where it's running
-
Tanta University Hospitals
Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Amira M Elkeblawy, MD
- Email: marmoramero999@gmail.com
- Phone: 01148529429
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Midpoint transverse process to pleura block vs erector spinae plane block for thoracic herpes zoster pain
This study compares two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to see which better eases pain from thoracic herpes zoster in adults 21–60.
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Electroacupuncture for acute shingles pain and biomarker testing
This trial will test whether adding electroacupuncture to standard antiviral treatment reduces pain and the chance of long-term nerve pain for adults with recent-onset shingles.
-
Calcitonin treatment for neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
This study is testing if calcitonin can help reduce the pain that people experience after a spinal cord injury compared to a placebo.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.