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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02336555

The Efficacy of MK-8291 in Participants With Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) With Allodynia (MK-8291-012)

This study aims to determine whether MK-8291 is effective in reducing pain in participants with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) with allodynia.

The primary hypothesis is that when compared to placebo, treatment with MK-8291 reduces the change from Baseline in participant-reported pain intensity by 1 on an 11-point numeric rating scale.

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Key information

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • non-pregnant female (and/or partner) agrees to use two acceptable methods of birth control throughout the trial until 2 weeks after the last dose of treatment
  • female is postmenopausal or surgically sterile
  • has a clinical diagnosis of PHN with allodynia for at least 3 months duration after healing of rash
  • has a body mass index (BMI) =< 35 kg/m^2, inclusive
  • is in good health, with exception of PHN
  • is on a stable dose for at least 30 days prior to screening if taking any of the following: opioids, non-opioids, paracetomol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, antidepressants
  • is a nonsmoker or has not used nicotine or nicotine containing products for at least prior 3 months

Exclusion criteria

  • has a non-PHN chronic pain state
  • has a history of clinically significant and inadequately treated endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematological, hepatic, immunological, renal, respiratory, genitourinary, or major neurological (including stroke and chronic seizures) abnormalities or diseases
  • has a history of malignant cancer
  • has a history or presence of esophagitis
  • has a history of significant multiple and/or severe allergies (e.g. food, drug, latex), or has had an anaphylactic reaction or significant intolerability to prescription or non-prescription drugs or food
  • is positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibodies, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • had major surgery, donated or lost approximately 500 mL of blood within 4 weeks prior to screening
  • has participated in another investigational trial within 4 weeks prior to screening
  • has a history of risk factors for Torsades de Pointes, has hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia
  • has a history or presence of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia, taking substances with the target of reducing heart rate and or exercising endurance sports
  • has had an injection of local anesthetics or steroids in the region affected by PHN, within 35 days prior to randomization
  • anticipates using prescription and non-prescription drugs or herbal remedies during trial
  • consumes excessive amounts of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages
  • uses cannabis, any illicit drugs, or has a history of drug (including alcohol) abuse within 12 months of screening visit

Treatment and study plan

MK-8291

Drug

MK-8291 oral tablets

Placebo

Drug

Placebo oral tablets

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in Pain Intensity at Week 4 of Each Treatment Period

    Time frame: Baseline and Days 22-28 of each treatment period (Up to approximately 63 days)

    Participants completed a pain intensity questionnaire, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), in the morning prior to taking study treatment at Baseline (Day 1) in each treatment period, and then daily up to Day 28 in each treatment period. The NRS assesses the intensity of Post-herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) pain during the preceding 24-hour period on an 11-point numeric rating scale (range: 0=no pain to 10=pain as bad as you can imagine). The mean score in pain intensity of Week 4 (Days 22 to 28) minus the mean score at Baseline is presented, with a negative change representing improvement (or reduction) in pain intensity. In comparison to placebo, a reduction (difference in the change from Baseline) of 1 on the 11-point NRS is expected.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage of Participants Achieving a 30 Percent or Greater Change From Baseline to Day 28 in Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline and Day 28 in each treatment period (Up to approximately 63 days)

    Participants completed a pain intensity questionnaire, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) in the morning before taking study treatment at Baseline (Day 1) in each treatment period, and then daily from Day 1 up to Day 28 in each treatment period. The NRS assesses the intensity of PHN pain during the preceding 24-hour period on an 11-point numeric rating scale (range: 0=no pain to 10=pain as bad as you can imagine). This was a binary outcome denoting whether the participant reported a percent change from Baseline to Week 4 (Days 22 to 28) in the mean pain intensity score greater than 30%. The percentage of participants who reported a 30% or greater change from Baseline to Day 28 of each treatment period is presented.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Study the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of MK-8291 in Subjects With Post-Herpetic Neuralgia With Allodynia

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Jan 13, 2015
Registry last updated
Dec 9, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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