Ketamine for Postherpetic Neuralgia With Depression
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IV trial (n=50) will study the effects of a single low-dose intravenous esketamine (0.2 mg/kg; ~14 mg/70 kg over 40 minutes) combined with oral duloxetine (60 mg/day) on depression in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.
Details
Prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel Phase IV study (n=50) comparing a single low-dose IV esketamine infusion (0.2 mg/kg, ~14 mg/70 kg) plus daily duloxetine 60 mg with saline plus duloxetine in patients with postherpetic neuralgia and comorbid depression.
Primary outcome is HADS‑D at two weeks post‑infusion; secondary outcomes and safety (AEs/SAEs) assessed at multiple time points with data collected via in-person interviews and telephone follow-up.