Novel Non-opioid Post-surgical Pain Treatment in Females

Northwestern University

Status and phase: Withdrawn; Phase 2

Conditions: Bunionectomy; Acute Pain; Toe Fusion

Treatments: Drug: Carbidopa-Levodopa (100mg/25mg):; Drug: Naproxen

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05087914

STU00215128

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to determine if treatment with Carbidopa/Levodopa and Naproxen in females (biological sex) with acute pain after a bunionectomy or toe fusion (24hrs, 48hrs and 5 days) will reduce pain when compared with females receiving Placebo and Naproxen.

Full description

Acute post-surgical pain remains commonly treated with opioids. Although such treatments are efficacious, they can lead to opioid dependency. Disturbingly, opioid abuse often began as a direct consequence of prescription medications, primarily for pain management, and post-surgical pain management. Recent studies in from Apkarian lab suggest that the combination of dopamine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory may be a safe, tolerable and efficacious novel post-surgical pain treatment option.

Therefore, the main hypothesis is: patients treated with Carbidopa/Levodopa and Naproxen will show a statistically significant decrease in post-surgical pain when compared with control intervention (Placebo plus Naproxen (250mg)). This will be done through a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of the pharmacological treatment Carbidopa/Levodopa for females (N = 60) undergoing a bunionectomy or toe fusion surgery.

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• female with no racial or ethnic restrictions;
• 18 to 75 years old;
• Have a bunionectomy or toe fusion surgery scheduled;
• must be able to read, understand, and sign consent form;
• generally healthy.

Exclusion criteria

• Chronic neurologic conditions, e.g., Parkinson's
• pregnancy;
• opioids use 60 mg/day oral morphine milligram equivalent.;
• use of anticoagulants (low dose ASA allowed);
• history of gastric ulcer; renal insufficiency or congestive heart failure,
• contraindication to study medication as determined by surgeon
• Any medical condition that in the investigator's judgment may prevent the individual from completing the study or put the individual at undue risk
• In the judgment of the investigator, unable or unwilling to follow protocol and instructions;
• Diagnosis of psychological diseases, such as major depression; bipolar disorder.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

---

0 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Carbidopa-Levodopa (100mg/25mg) + Naproxen (250mg)

Experimental group

Description:

The study drug, Carbidopa-Levodopa, is an FDA-approved medicine traditionally used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The study drug will be used for an un-approved or un-labeled use: potentially managing pain in post-surgical patients. Carbidopa/Levodopa is an artificially made version of a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate brain activity (Levodopa), combined with an artificially made version of a naturally occurring molecule that inhibits the breakdown of Levodopa (Carbidopa). Naproxen (250mg): Participants will receive one capsule TID, throughout the 5 days of the treatment period. Naproxen will be prescribed for active and control group.

Treatment:

Drug: Naproxen

Drug: Carbidopa-Levodopa (100mg/25mg):

Placebo + Naproxen (250mg)

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo:Participants will receive 1 the capsules on a three-times a day schedule for 5 days. A placebo looks like the study drug but is an inactive substance that has no medication. Researchers use a placebo to see if the study drug works better or is safer than not taking anything. Naproxen (250mg): Participants will receive one capsule TID, throughout the 5 days of the treatment period. Naproxen will be prescribed for active and control group.

Treatment:

Drug: Naproxen