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.
This is an open-label study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of N-acetyl-L-cysteine in patients with Chronic neuropathic pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
11
1200 mg BID x 4 weeks
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Opioid Use
The amount of opioid medication used was recorded. Then, it was converted to morphine equivalents (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/Opioid-Morphine-EQ-Conversion-Factors-March-2015.pdf). Opioid use was measured over a 2-week baseline period. Then, the average opioid medication use/week was calculated. This was compared to the average opioid medication use/week after 4 weeks of NAC.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Pain
Pain intensity will be measured by using the 100-point Visual Analogue Scale, a 100-mm horizontal line with anchors of "no pain at all" (at 0) and "worst pain imaginable" (at 100mm) on which patients' pain intensities are measured.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Mood
Mood will be assessed by using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a validated 9-question assessment of depression with total scores ranging from 0-27. Higher score = worse depression.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
Stress
Stress will be measured by the Perceived Stress Scale ((PSS), a 10-item instrument for measuring the perception of stress, with total scores ranging from 0-40. Higher scores = higher perceived stress
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.