Clinical Neuropharmacology of Pain in Spinal Cord Injury- Dextromethorphan/Lidocaine Combination Clinical Trial

Clinical Neuropharmacology of Pain in Spinal Cord Injury- Dextromethorphan/Lidocaine Combination (Factorial Design) Clinical Trial

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind 4x4 crossover clinical trial was part of a larger NIH-funded study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of multiple dose-combinations of chronic oral (PO) dextromethorphan and intravenous (IV) lidocaine in central neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.

This trial has several objectives:

Primary Objective To determine which combination (dose-ratio) of dextromethorphan and lidocaine provides the best balance of pain reduction and toxicity.

Secondary Objectives include To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of both dextromethorphan and lidocaine in attenuating pain related to central nervous system sensitization, specifically spontaneous pain, mechanical allodynia, and hyperalgesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy male or female adults, age 18 to 70 with central neuropathic pain for a minimum of 3 months following SCI as confirmed by neurologic evaluation, with an average pain intensity score of at least moderate over at least 50% of the day for the 7 days prior to the screening visit and over the 7 days prior to starting study medication.
2. Subjects used no medication or a stabilized medication regimen for chronic and well-controlled medical conditions
3. Serum laboratory examination obtained at study entry:
4. Normal cognitive function.
5. Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy or breast-feeding.
2. Renal or hepatic dysfunction.
3. Significant cardiac disease (e.g. MI within 1 year).
4. Signs or symptoms of central neurological disorder, excluding SCI.
5. Severe psychological disorder requiring treatment.
6. History of hypersensitivity or intolerance to dextromethorphan or lidocaine.
7. Participation in a study of an investigational drug or device within 30 days prior to screening for this study.