New Topical Treatment for Continued Pain After Shingles

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Shingles is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Some people experience continued pain even after the shingles rash and blisters have healed; this pain is known as postherpetic neuralgia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new topical treatment for postherpetic neuralgia in adults.

Detailed Description
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After an initial infection of chicken pox, the varicella-zoster virus can remain dormant inside nerve cells. Years later, the virus can be reactivated, causing a repeat outbreak called shingles. The first symptom of shingles is usually a burning or tingling pain in one particular location and on one side of the body. This pain can range from mild to severe. Other possible symptoms of shingles include numbness and itching. After several days or 1 week, a rash of fluid-filled blisters similar to chicken pox appears. For most healthy people, a case of shingles heals within a month. However, some people continue to feel pain after the rash and blisters have resolved; this pain is known as postherpetic neuralgia. Current treatments for postherpetic neuralgia include antiviral drugs, steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical products. A new topical treatment consists of a liquid product that is applied directly to the skin to let dry and form a thin, transparent barrier film. In contrast to creams or ointments that can stay in contact with skin for only minutes, this product remains intact on the skin for many hours, providing sustained delivery of a drug or medication while maintaining barrier protection for the skin. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this new topical treatment for postherpetic neuralgia in adults. This study will last about 3 weeks and will include seven study visits on Days 1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23. All study visits will include questionnaires on pain levels and an examination and digital photos of the affected skin area. The study visit on Day 1 will also include a urine pregnancy test and a review of medical and medication history. During the study visits on Days 8, 15, and 22, one of three topical products will be applied to participants' affected skin. The product will dry on the skin in 30 to 45 seconds. Participants will then wait at the study site for 1.5 hours, after which they will record the time when they experienced pain relief. At each of these three treatment visits, participants will receive one of the following three topical products: Epikeia coatings with aspirin, Epikeia coatings with local anesthetic, and Epikeia coatings alone. At these three study visits, questionnaires, examinations, and digital photographs will occur both before and after the products are applied to the skin. Throughout the study, participants will record their pain levels and medications in a diary, which will be reviewed at all study visits.

Official Title
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Phase 1 Novel Topical Treatment for Post-herpetic Neuralgia

Conditions
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Postherpetic Neuralgia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Epikeia coatings with aspirin
* Drug: Epikeia coatings with lidocaine
* Other: Epikeia coatings alone


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: In good general health Postherpetic neuralgia, defined as pain persisting more than 4 months after onset of herpes zoster outbreak Willing to use effective forms of contraception for the duration of the study Exclusion Criteria: Known lidocaine sensitivity or allergy Inability to discontinue use of any nonstudy lidocaine-containing products for the duration of the study Known hypersensitivity to aspirin Open herpes zoster blisters Known sensitivity or allergy to an amide-type local anesthetic agent Existing conditions that make participation unsafe Pregnant Immunocompromised (e.g., HIV infected) Herpes zoster in any dermatome (area of skin innervated by a specific sensory nerve) affecting the face or scalp Affected skin area is greater than 420 square cm Affected area includes skin breakdown or nonintact skin Affected area consists of more than one contiguous area

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1<br>Participants will receive one of three different topical treatments on Days 8, 15, or 22. | Drug: Epikeia coatings with aspirin<br>* Applied to affected skin area using a roll-on ball applicator<br>* Other names: Epikeia coatings with acetylsalicylic acid;Drug: Epikeia coatings with lidocaine<br>* Applied to affected skin area using a roll-on ball applicator<br>* Other names: Epikeia coatings with local anesthetic;Other: Epikeia coatings alone<br>* Applied to affected skin area using a roll-on ball applicator<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Latency to analgesia onset and duration of analgesia measures |  | Between 8 and 16 hours after treatment application | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skin irritation potential |  | Between 8 and 24 hours after treatment application | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Post-herpetic Neuralgia, Pain after Shingles, Shingles, PHN