Thioctic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc: a randomized, double-blind, comparative study

Memeo A, Loiero M

Published in Clinical Drug Investigation

Methodology

Randomised, double-blind comparative trial of thioctic acid plus acetyl-L-carnitine versus comparator therapy over 60 days in patients with sciatic pain from lumbar disc herniation, with VAS pain, neurological examination and disability scores.

Key Findings

In 64 patients with sciatic pain from a herniated disc, combined thioctic (alpha-lipoic) acid and acetyl-L-carnitine over 60 days reduced pain intensity and improved neurological and functional scores more than the comparator regimen, with reduced need for analgesics and good tolerability.

Conclusions

Alpha-lipoic acid with acetyl-L-carnitine appears to improve pain and nerve-related symptoms in disc-related sciatica, but the small comparative design without placebo limits certainty.

Limitations

Small sample, comparative rather than placebo-controlled design, single-country setting, subjective pain endpoints, 8-week duration with no follow-up after cessation, and industry involvement.

Supplements Studied

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

Compound

Thioctic acid 600 mg/day appears to be at least as effective as ALC in the treatment of sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc and may be associated with an improvement in symptom scores and reduced need for analgesia. However, because of the limited number of patients evaluated and the lack of a placebo control in this trial, further studies are warranted in order to provide more definitive results.

L-Carnitine

Amino Acid

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Amino Acid