Trial reportCNS neuroscience & therapeutics2025
Comparison of Duloxetine Supplemented With Pregabalin and Amitriptyline Supplemented With Pregabalin for the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Double-Blind, Randomized Crossover Trial.
Trial report in CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Gabapentinoids-duloxetine combination therapy for chronic pain: A mechanism oriented rational to bridge theoretical knowledge and real life setting.British journal of clinical pharmacology · 2026Review
- Therapeutic potential of combining mirogabalin with antidepressants in relieving hypersensitivity: evidence from a mouse model of neuropathic pain.Pharmacological reports : PR · 2026Article
- Postherpetic Neuralgia: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Stratified Management-A Narrative Review.CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2026Review
- Effects of Esketamine Infusion by Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia in Patients With Zoster-Associated Pain: A Retrospective Study.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2026Article
- Pregabalin and Duloxetine in Patients with Non-Nociceptive Pain: A Narrative Review Exploring the Pharmacological Effects of This Combination.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common chronic complication of herpes zoster (HZ), and current treatment regimens often fail to effectively control the pain.
aimThe purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of duloxetine combined with pregabalin and amitriptyline combined with pregabalin in the treatment of PHN, as well as their impact on sleep and quality of life in patients with PHN.
methodsThis is a double-blind, randomized, crossover trial involving PHN patients. About 220 participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either the duloxetine combined with pregabalin or the amitriptyline combined with pregabalin. The patient takes duloxetine or amitriptyline orally before bedtime for 6 weeks each time. Perform a 2-week single-blind placebo washout between the two treatments, and a 2-week single-blind placebo washout at the end of the treatment period. In the last week of the treatment cycle, evaluate the 7-day average daily pain, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and record the occurrence of major adverse events. A median reduction of 50%, 25%-50%, and 25% in pain score is considered good, moderate, and mild improvement, respectively.
resultsBoth treatment methods can significantly improve the baseline pain value (p < 0.001 for both). The combination of duloxetine and pregabalin resulted in good, moderate, and mild pain relief of 52%, 24%, and 7%, respectively. The combination of amitriptyline and pregabalin resulted in good, moderate, and mild pain relief of 48%, 21%, and 9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the measurement of various results between the two groups. In the reported adverse events, patients in the amitriptyline group had significantly more dry mouth compared to the duloxetine group (26% vs. 11%; p = 0.008).
conclusionsDuloxetine and amitriptyline have similar analgesic effects, and the difference is not statistically significant. The combination of pregabalin has good tolerability and better pain relief in PHN patients, thus providing clinically relevant benefits.
trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100054831.
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