Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Flurbiprofen patch for shingles (herpes zoster) pain.

Official title: The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Topical Patches (Flurbiprofen Patch) in Patients With Herpes Zoster

Run by Beijing Tiantan Hospital · NCT07370402 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether adding a flurbiprofen pain-relief patch to usual antiviral and pain medicines reduces moderate-to-severe shingles pain in adults.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment750 (estimated)
SponsorBeijing Tiantan Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 15, 2025
Main results expectedSeptember 30, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJanuary 27, 2026
Trial IDNCT07370402 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults over 18 with shingles rash onset within 90 days, average pain score of at least 4 on the NRS, and acceptable liver and kidney function are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients with disseminated or ocular herpes zoster, known hypersensitivity to flurbiprofen or its excipients, prior use of a flurbiprofen patch, or significant hepatic/renal impairment are unlikely to qualify or receive benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional trial compares a flurbiprofen topical patch plus conventional therapy versus conventional therapy alone in adults with herpes zoster pain. Eligible participants have rash onset within 90 days and moderate-to-severe pain (NRS ≥4) and must meet basic liver and kidney function criteria. Participants will receive the assigned treatment and be monitored for changes in pain severity and for adverse events. The study is conducted at Beijing Tiantan Hospital in Beijing with in-person follow-up visits.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the patch could provide targeted pain relief for acute herpes zoster with fewer systemic side effects than oral pain medicines.

How similar studies have gone: Topical NSAIDs have shown benefit for localized pain conditions, but using a flurbiprofen patch specifically for herpes zoster pain is relatively novel with limited prior clinical data.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion 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 applying flurbiprofen patch;
* 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 flurbiprofen patch;
* 4\. History of systemic immune diseases, organ transplantation, or cancers;
* 5\. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Where it's running

  • Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, Beijing 100070
    Beijing, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.