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Phenytoin as Treatment for Acute Exacerbations of Trigeminal Neuralgia - a Prospective Systematic Study of 20 Patients

NCT03712254 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 15

Last updated 2022-03-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The nature of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is fluctuating and patients can experience periods of complete remission of pain as well as periods with excessive pain. TN is often triggered by innocuous intra- and extraoral stimuli such as chewing. Since the first-line prophylactic drugs, i.e. carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, are administered orally, medical treatment of TN can be problematic in periods of exacerbation. In cases of severe exacerbation, patients oftentimes become dehydrated and anorectic as eating and drinking will evoke pain. Treatment with drugs administered intravenously is needed in such situations. Phenytoin was the first drug to be used for TN but it is rarely used as long-time preventative because of frequent side-effects associated with long-term use. However, phenytoin has the advantage over other drugs, that it can be administered also intravenously as fosphenytoin (the prodrug of phenytoin).

By clinical experience the efficacy is very good. However, evidence of the treatment is lacking as only case reports including a total of 5 patients described the effects and side effects with pain relief lasting two days. By providing solid observational evidence, the treatment can be considered for incorporation in local and international treatment guidelines.

The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that fosphenytoin loading reduces TN pain with at least 50 % in 80% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia experiencing exacerbation of TN pain.

The study is a descriptive prospective observational pilot study with 3 months followup period.

Conditions

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

Interventions

DRUG

Fosphenytoin

Patients with trigeminal neuralgia that due to acute exacerbations of trigeminal neuralgia pain are admitted for fosphenytoin loading are the subjects of interest.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Danish Headache Center

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2018-11-01
Primary Completion
2021-10-01
Completion
2021-11-01

Countries

  • Denmark

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03712254 on ClinicalTrials.gov