A single dose of gabapentin reduces acute pain and allodynia in patients with herpes zoster

Neurology. 2005 Aug 9;65(3):444-7. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000168259.94991.8a.

Abstract

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study measured the effect of a single dose of oral gabapentin (900 mg) on pain and allodynia associated with herpes zoster. Pain severity decreased by 66% with gabapentin compared to 33% with placebo. Reductions in allodynia area and severity, and overall pain relief, were also greater with gabapentin.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease / therapy
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amines / administration & dosage*
  • Amines / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Herpes Zoster / complications*
  • Herpes Zoster / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hyperalgesia / drug therapy*
  • Hyperalgesia / etiology
  • Hyperalgesia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold / drug effects*
  • Pain Threshold / physiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amines
  • Analgesics
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin