Safety and Efficacy of Gabapentin in Postherpetic Neuralgia

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Gabapentin and pregabalin are treatments for some types of neuropathic pain, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, these treatments usually need to be taken 3 times a day for effective pain control. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new gabapentin tablet, which only needs to be taken once or twice a day, is safe and effective for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
ConditionNeuralgia, Postherpetic
InterventionDrug: Gabapentin extended-release tablets
PhasePhase 3
SponsorDepomed
Responsible PartyDepomed
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00335933
First ReceivedJune 8, 2006
Last UpdatedAugust 1, 2007
Last verifiedJune 2006

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateJune 8, 2006
Last Updated DateAugust 1, 2007
Start DateMay 2006
Estimated Primary Completion DateJuly 2007
Current Primary Outcome Measures
  • The primary study objective is to assess the relative efficacy of G-ER versus placebo in reducing the average daily pain score from the baseline week to the final week of the efficacy treatment period (Treatment Week 10) in patients with PHN
  • Daily pain scores will be measured using an electronic diary.
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresSecondary objectives include assessment of changes from baseline in average daily sleep interference scores.

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleSafety and Efficacy of Gabapentin in Postherpetic Neuralgia
Official TitleA Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Gabapentin Extended Release (G-ER) Tablets in the Treatment of Patients With Postherpetic Neuralgia
Brief Summary
Gabapentin and pregabalin are treatments for some types of neuropathic pain, including
postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, these treatments usually need to be taken 3 times a
day for effective pain control. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new
gabapentin tablet, which only needs to be taken once or twice a day, is safe and effective
for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
Detailed Description
The primary study objective is to assess the relative efficacy of G-ER dosed once daily
(1800 mg following the evening meal) or twice daily (600 mg AM/1200 mg PM), versus placebo
in reducing the mean daily pain score from the baseline week to the end of the efficacy
treatment period (Treatment Week 10) in patients with PHN.

Secondary efficacy measures will include changes from baseline in mean weekly sleep
interference scores, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the Neuropathic Pain
Scale (NPS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), and
Investigator-Rated Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC).
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 3
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionNeuralgia, Postherpetic
InterventionDrug: Gabapentin extended-release tablets
Study Arm (s)Not Provided

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment378
Estimated Completion DateJuly 2007
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men or women 18 years or older who have experienced pain for at least 3 months after
the healing of a herpes zoster skin rash (typically about 4 months after the rash
first appears).

2. Patient has pain intensity score of at least 4 on the 11-point Likert numerical
rating scale at screening. Potential patients should not be informed of the pain
intensity eligibility criterion prior to screening or randomization.

3. Patients of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at
screening/randomization, and must use medically acceptable methods of birth control.
Acceptable methods of birth control include oral or transdermal contraceptives,
condom, spermicidal foam, intrauterine device (IUD), progestin implant or injection,
abstinence, vaginal ring, or sterilization of partner. The reason for
non-childbearing potential, such as bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy,
hysterectomy, or postmenopausal for ≥ 1 year, must be specified in the patient's case
report form (CRF).

4. Patient has a mean baseline week pain intensity score of at least 4 on the 11-point
Likert scale at the end of a 1-week pre-treatment period and has completed at least 4
days of daily pain diary entries during the baseline week.

5. Patient must have a minimum washout period of greater than 5 times the half-life of
the drug of any of the following medications: benzodiazepines, skeletal muscle
relaxants, orally administered steroids, capsaicin, mexiletene, centrally acting
analgesics (dextromethorphan, tramadol), opiates, topical lidocaine, anticonvulsants
and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Anticonvulsants, SNRIs,
opiates and benzodiazepines should be tapered appropriately, using product label
instructions as a guide.

6. Patients currently treated with gabapentin or pregabalin at screening may be eligible
for the study, but must have a tapering period wherein the dose of gabapentin or
pregabalin is reduced gradually over a period of at least 7 days plus a 2-day or
3-day washout of gabapentin or pregabalin, respectively, prior to start of the
baseline week.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who have previously not responded to treatment for PHN with gabapentin at
doses of ≥ 1200 mg/day or pregabalin at doses ≥ 300 mg/day.

2. Patients who previously experienced dose-limiting adverse effects that prevented
titration of gabapentin to an effective dose.

3. Patient is a nursing mother.

4. Patient has hypersensitivity to gabapentin.

5. Patient has had neurolytic or neurosurgical treatment for PHN.

6. Patient has severe pain from causes other than PHN.

7. Patient has used injected anesthetics or steroids within 30 days of baseline.

8. Patient has skin conditions in the area affected by the neuropathy that could alter
sensation.

9. Patient is in an immunocompromised state.

10. Patient has an estimated creatinine clearance of < 60 ml/min calculated using the
Cockroft Gault method. If the patient fails this criterion, the Investigator may
decide to conduct a 24-hour creatinine clearance test. The patient would be allowed
to enroll in the study if the 24-hour test result is < 60 ml/min.

11. Patient has had a malignancy within the past 2 years other than basal cell carcinoma.

12. Patient has had gastric reduction surgery.

13. Patient has severe chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation [unless attributed to drugs
that will be washed out], uncontrolled irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or unexplained
weight loss.

14. Patient has any abnormal chemistry or hematology results that are deemed by the
Investigator to be clinically significant.

15. Patient has a history of substance abuse within the past year.

16. Patient has a history of seizure (except for infantile febrile seizure) or is at risk
of seizure due to head trauma.

17. Patient has a history of chronic hepatitis B or C, hepatitis within the past 3
months, or HIV infection.
GenderBoth
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00335933
Other Study ID Numbers81-0045
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNot Provided
Information Provided ByDepomed
Study SponsorDepomed
CollaboratorsNot Provided
Investigators Study Director: Bret Berner, Ph.D. Sponsor/Depomed, Inc.
Verification DateJune 2006

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

PPD Development
Austin, Texas, United States, 78704