Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathies in HIV+ patients.

Abstract

We studied the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on pain in 16 HIV+ patients affected by painful distal symmetrical neuropathy. Patients were treated with 0.5-1 gr per day of acetyl-L-carnitine either i.m. or i.v. for 3 weeks. Pain intensity was measured before and after the treatment by the Huskisson's analogic scale. Ten patients (62.5%) reported an improvement of symptoms, five patients (31.25%) were unchanged, one patient worsened. The results of this open study show that acetyl-L-carnitine can have a role in the treatment of pain in distal symmetrical polyneuropathy related to HIV infection. However, further double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

• Authors: E Scarpini, G Sacilotto, P Baron, M Cusini, G Scarlato
• Journal: Journal of the peripheral nervous system : JPNS (J Peripher Nerv Syst) Vol. 2 Issue 3 Pg. 250-2 ( 1997) ISSN: 1085-9489 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10975731 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nootropic Agents
• Acetylcarnitine

Topics

• Acetylcarnitine (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Female
• HIV Seropositivity (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nootropic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Pain (drug therapy, etiology)
• Pain Measurement (drug effects)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)