Lamictal in the Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Lamictal in the Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia-A Safety, Efficacy,Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Cross-Over Study

To assess the efficacy of Lamictal for the treatment of pain and reduction of allodynia in patients with post herpetic neuralgia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients will be over the age of 18,
• Need to have a diagnosis of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia,
• Minimum of 4 on the Likert Pain Scale,
• If currently taking TCA and/or Gabapentin, need to have been on stable dose for minimum of 4 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently on any antiepileptic drugs (AED), except for Gabapentin.
• Currently taking opioid or unwilling to washout prior to the study,
• Pregnant and lactating,
• Have active severe systemic disease,
• History of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or TEN,
• Clinically significant abnormal lab values,
• Known drug allergy to Lamictal,
• Patients on Fibrates (Tricor and Lopid),
• History of major psychiatric disturbance and substance abuse.
• Valproate due to increase chances of severe rash,
• Lidocaine Patch,
• Use of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patch, ring, injection)