The Role of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) as an Adjuvant to Opioid Treatment in Patients With Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Neuropathic Pain

Treatments: Drug: N-acetyl-l-cysteine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01840345

HM14748

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will test whether treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is safe and decreases pain in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The investigators hypothesize that NAC will be a useful adjunct to opioid treatment in chronic neuropathic pain.

Full description

This is an open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of N-acetyl-L-cysteine in patients with Chronic neuropathic pain.

Enrollment: 11 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18-65 years old
• non-cancer neuropathic pain
• stable dose of opioids for pain
• using breakthrough pain meds
• still with persistent pain per VAS

Exclusion criteria

• pregnant or nursing
• serious medical or psychiatric illness (including uncontrolled hypertension)
• active stomach ulcer, history or seizures or asthma
• breakthrough pain meds other than opioids
• using illicit drugs

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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11 participants in 1 patient group

N-acetyl-L-cysteine

Experimental group

Description:

n-acetyl-l-cysteine 1200 mg BID x 4 weeks

Treatment:

Drug: N-acetyl-l-cysteine