Desvenlafaxine to relieve shingles (herpes zoster) pain

The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Oral Medications (Desvenlafaxine) in Patients With Herpes Zoster

This trial will test whether adding desvenlafaxine to standard treatment helps adults with recent shingles reduce moderate to severe pain.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 750 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beijing Tiantan Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing)
• Trial ID: NCT07361809 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with shingles that began within the past 90 days and who report moderate to severe pain will receive either desvenlafaxine plus conventional therapy or conventional therapy alone. Liver and kidney function limits are applied and prior use of desvenlafaxine or hypersensitivity excludes participation. Pain severity is measured using a numeric rating scale, and safety events will be monitored during the treatment period. The goal is to see if increasing serotonin and norepinephrine availability with desvenlafaxine provides better pain relief without substantially more adverse events.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults over 18 with shingles rash onset under 90 days, average pain score of at least 4 on an NRS, acceptable liver and kidney tests, and ability to consent are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients with disseminated or ocular shingles, prior desvenlafaxine use, known intolerance to the drug, or significant organ dysfunction are unlikely to benefit from joining this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide better pain relief for acute shingles and might reduce the chance of developing long-term postherpetic neuralgia.

How similar studies have performed: Other SNRIs have shown benefit for some types of neuropathic pain, but desvenlafaxine specifically for herpes zoster pain is relatively untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 1\. Ages more than 18 years;
* 2\. Patients with onset of HZ rash less than 90 days;
* 3\. Experiencing moderate to severe HZ pain with an average pain score of at least 4 on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain);
* 4\. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels less than twice the upper limit of normal;
* 5\. Estimated glomerular filtration rate of 30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or higher;
* 6\. Willing to sign the informed consent form and possessing sufficient cognitive and language abilities to comply with all the study requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1\. History of taking desvenlafaxine;
* 2\. Patients with evidence of cutaneous or visceral dissemination of HZ infection (cutaneous dissemination is defined as more than 20 discrete lesions outside adjacent dermatomes) or ocular involvement of HZ;
* 3\. History of intolerance or hypersensitivity to any active components or excipient of the desvenlafaxine;
* 4\. History of systemic immune diseases, organ transplantation, or cancers;
* 5\. Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
* 6\. Suffering from acute or chronic pain disorders other than HZ.

Where this trial is running

Beijing

• Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, Beijing 100070 — Beijing, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Fang Luo

Conditions Herpes Zoster; Pain