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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Prof Matthew Ridd
+44 (0)117 33 14557
m.ridd@bristol.ac.uk


Dr Sian Wells
+44 (0)117 9287308
athena-study@bristol.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Can taking amitriptyline tablets stop long-term pain from shingles?
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Can taking amitriptyline tablets stop long-term pain from shingles?

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Southampton Bristol Oxford

Medical Conditions

Shingles

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. This study aims to find out whether taking a low dose of amitriptyline soon after getting shingles can prevent the long-term pain associated with shingles

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

30 Mar 2022 30 Apr 2025

Publications

2024 Other publications in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39084872/ Qualitative interviews (added 01/08/2024)

Participants take tablets nightly for 10 weeks: half will be given low-dose amitriptyline and the other half will get placebo (dummy) tablets. Pain is assessed at 90 days after rash onset.


Patients aged over 50 years who have been diagnosed by their GP with shingles.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Inability to give informed consent2. Third or more episode of herpes zoster3. Known adverse reaction to amitriptyline or contraindications (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)4. Current/recent (within previous two weeks) use of a tricyclic antidepressant5. Prolonged QT interval or concomitant drugs that prolong the QT interval6. Suicidal ideation7. Heart block8. Recent myocardial infarction (<4 weeks)9. Immunosuppression10. Significant bradycardia11. Uncompensated heart failure12. Hyperthyroidism13. Severe liver disease14. Phaeochromocytoma15. Urinary retention16. If female; current or planned (in next 3 months) pregnancy or breastfeeding17. Currently (or recently, within the previous 4 months) enrolled in another CTIMP


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • University of Southampton
    University Road
    Southampton
    SO17 1BJ
  • University of Bristol
    Senate House Tyndall Avenue
    Bristol
    BS8 1TH
  • University of Oxford
    University Offices
    Oxford
    OX1 2JD

If starting amitriptyline early on does help, it is a cheap medicine that would prevent prolonged, difficult-to-treat pain for thousands of people. However, amitriptyline commonly causes side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth and constipation. It can also cause problems when used together with some other tablets. This study is needed so doctors can be sure that any benefits outweigh any harm.

Dr Sian Wells
+44 (0)117 9287308
athena-study@bristol.ac.uk


Prof Matthew Ridd
+44 (0)117 33 14557
m.ridd@bristol.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by University of Bristol and funded by NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC); Grant Codes: NIHR129720.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN14490832

Or CPMS 50893

Last updated 15 April 2025

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

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