A Study Assessing Efficacy of Brivaracetam in Subjects With Persistent Pain After Shingles (Post-herpetic Neuralgia)

An Exploratory, Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Group, Multicenter Study, for the Assessment of Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Ucb 34714 50 mg Oral Capsules in b.i.d. Administration at the Doses of 200 mg/Day and 400 mg/Day, in Subjects (at Least 18 Years Old) Suffering From Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Study will assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of brivaracetam in post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Duration of 7 weeks divided into 3 periods with no up-titration, nor down-titration.

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male/female subject aged 18 years or older.
• Pain present for at least 6 months after healing of the acute herpes zoster skin rash.
• Pain intensity score assessed on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale with a score of at least 4 at the screening visit and with an average weekly score of at least 4 on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale during baseline period.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject getting any kind of psychological support to help cope with pain such as biofeedback or behavioral cognitive therapy.
• Subject who had undergone or who is scheduled for neurolytic or neurosurgical therapy for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) or who receives trans-electrical neural stimulation (TENS.
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) or permitted opioid analgesics ('strong' opioids are forbidden) that started less than 30 days and/or are not stabilized prior to screening and/or are not expected to be kept stable during the study.
• Intake of more than two pain treatments at trial entry (screening visit) including Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or permitted opioid analgesics.
• Subject being treated with Carbamazepine for any indication.
• Known coexistent source of painful peripheral neuropathy or other systemic disease associated with a secondary painful neuropathy.
• Subject being treated in the four weeks prior to screening visit with 'strong' opioid analgesics.

Exclusion Criteria: