Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathies in HIV+ patients [see comments] NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathies in HIV+ patients [see comments]

J Peripher Nerv Syst. 1997;2(3):250-2. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/20427471
Scarpini E; Sacilotto G; Baron P; Cusini M; Scarlato G; Department of Clinical Neurology, IRCCS-Ospedale Maggiore; Policlinico, University of Milano, Italy.

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.

Keywords: CLINICAL TRIAL JOURNAL ARTICLE Acetylcarnitine/*THERAPEUTIC USE Adult Female HIV Seropositivity/*COMPLICATIONS Human Male Middle Age Nootropic Agents/*THERAPEUTIC USE Pain/*DRUG THERAPY/*ETIOLOGY Pain Measurement/DRUG EFFECTS Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/*DRUG THERAPY/*ETIOLOGY Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

KWDclinicaltrialjournalarticleacetylcarnitine/KWDtherapeuticuseadultfemalehivseropositivity/KWDcomplicationshumanmalemiddleagenootropicagents/KWDtherapeuticusepain/KWDdrugtherapy/KWDetiologypainmeasurement/drugeffectsperipheralnervoussystemdiseases/KWDdrugtherapy/KWDetiologysupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov't
Comment in: J Peripher Nerv Syst 1998;3(3):227-9
001230
A00C0903

Copyright © 2000 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .