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The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Venlafaxine for Prevention of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Patients With Acute Herpes Zoster
Sponsor: Beijing Tiantan Hospital
Summary
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ) and represents a major clinical challenge due to its chronicity and impact on quality of life. Current treatments for acute HZ pain have limited efficacy in preventing PHN, highlighting the need for effective preventive strategies targeting early pathophysiological mechanisms. Venlafaxine as a plausible and clinically relevant candidate for early intervention to prevent the transition from acute HZ pain to PHN.
Official title: The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Oral Medications (Venlafaxine) for Prevention of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Acute Herpes Zoster
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
832
Start Date
2025-12-15
Completion Date
2027-12-31
Last Updated
2026-03-27
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Venlafaxine combined conventional therapy
Venlafaxine will be initiated at 75 mg once daily and titrated based on pain response and tolerability before 90 days after rash onset. All participants will receive standardized analgesic management following the World Health Organization pain ladder. In addition, the group will contain conventional treatment for HZ, including NSAIDs, opioids, antiviral drugs and so on. After 90 days from rash onset, treatment will be standardized across both groups. Participants who develop persistent pain consistent with PHN will receive guideline-based management, including gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and topical agents such as lidocaine or capsaicin, as clinically indicated.
Conventional therapy
The control group will receive conventional therapy alone before 90 days after rash onset. After 90 days from rash onset, treatment will be standardized across both groups. Participants who develop persistent pain consistent with PHN will receive guideline-based management, including gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and topical agents such as lidocaine or capsaicin, as clinically indicated.
Locations (1)
Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, Beijing 100070
Beijing, China