Could a cheap epilepsy drug ease chronic nerve pain?

NCT ID NCT02100046

Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether ethosuximide, a drug already used for epilepsy, can reduce pain in people with nerve damage. 114 adults with peripheral neuropathic pain took either the drug or a placebo for 42 days. Researchers measured pain levels and quality of life to see if the drug offers a new, affordable option.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ethosuximide (Zarontin)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new, affordable treatment option for nerve pain that doesn't respond to current medications.
What could go wrong: This is an early Phase 2 trial with only 114 people, so results may not apply to everyone. Ethosuximide is an epilepsy drug and may cause side effects like drowsiness or stomach upset.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 2

Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.

Participants

114 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Mar 2014

Finished

Jan 2017

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Male participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Traumatic neuropathy or post-surgical (excluding amputations) with Neuropathic -Pain Diagnostic DN4 ≥ 4 positive and IASP criteria * ENS pain ≥ 4 * ALT, AST, PAL, normal GGT, creatinine \<133μmol / L, hematocrit\> 38%, β-HCG * Patients affiliated to the French Social Security * Patients with free and informed consent has been obtained * Peripheral neuropathic pain with Neuropathic Pain Diagnostic DN4 ≥ 4 positive Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, cancer or chemotherapy-induced, * Patients with impaired glucose tolerance, * Medical and surgical history incompatible with the study, * History of renal disease and / or liver, * Addiction to alcohol and / or drugs, * Taking antiepileptic family carboxamides and ethosuximide * Use of St. John's wort, * Allergy succinimides (ethosuximide, methsuximide, phensuximide) * Psychotic disorders, * Patients with epilepsy, * Patient exclusion period, or the total allowable compensation exceeded * Patients undergoing a measure of legal protection (guardianship, supervision ...) * Central neuropathic pain * Other chronic pain (osteoarthritis, arthritis, fibromyalgia…) with intensity greater than neuropathic pain

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neuralgia Pain traumatic neuropathy

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire (DN4) ≥ 4 Neuropathic traumatic pain Pain NRS ≥ 4 Peripheral neuropathic pain

Could a cheap epilepsy drug ease chronic nerve pain?

What the study statuses mean