Levetiracetam in central post-stroke pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a severe and distressing pain condition. Treatment of CPSP is based on amitriptyline and anti-epileptic drugs (AED) but limited by side effects and unsatisfying efficacy. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a novel AED with a favourable adverse event and safety profile. Experimental neuropathic animal and human pain models show an analgesic effect of LEV. Objective: To examine efficacy and tolerability of oral LEV in patients with CPSP. Methods: Study design was a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study. Patients with CPSP and a median pain score >4 on an 11-point Liker…