New hope for spinal cord pain: drug combo shows promise

NCT ID NCT02218203

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether combining two drugs—dextromethorphan (taken by mouth) and lidocaine (given through a vein)—can reduce central neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injury. 26 adults with moderate or worse pain for at least 3 months took part. Each person received different dose combinations in a random order to see which worked best.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Dextromethorphan and lidocaine
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new drug combination to ease chronic pain after spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 26 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and the drugs may cause side effects or not work better than placebo.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

agnosia Chronic Pain Hyperalgesia spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALLODYNIA CENTRAL NEUROPATHIC PAIN SPINAL CORD INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Translational Pain Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

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