Pain intensity and bioavailability of intramuscular asparaginase and a local anesthetic: a double-blinded study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To evaluate if dissolution of asparaginase in lidocaine can relieve pain of an intramuscular injection in children without changes in bioavailability.

PROCEDURE:

The study was designed as a double-blinded study, randomizing 12 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to four different combinations of injections, including two injections where asparaginase was dissolved in a lidocaine solution and two in sterile water. Seventeen treatment courses of asparaginase, each consisting of four injections, were evaluated. Pain intensity (Pain Visual Analog Scale, VAS-score) and pharmacokinetics of the drug was evaluated.

RESULTS:

The pain scores showed a significant difference between the two solutions of asparaginase (+/-lidocaine) (P value < 0.0001). Lidocaine did not influence the pharmacokinetics of the drug.

CONCLUSIONS:

Asparaginase with addition of lidocaine significantly decreases the pain as measured by the visual analog scale without changing the bioavailability or the absorption rate of the enzyme.

• Authors: Birgitte Klug Albertsen, Henrik Hasle, Niels Clausen, Henrik Schrøder, Preben Jakobsen
• Journal: Pediatric blood & cancer (Pediatr Blood Cancer) Vol. 44 Issue 3 Pg. 255-8 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 1545-5009 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15503298 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: (c) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Local
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Drug Combinations
• Lidocaine
• Asparaginase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Anesthetics, Local (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
• Asparaginase (administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
• Biological Availability
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Combinations
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Leukemia, Lymphoid (drug therapy)
• Lidocaine (administration & dosage)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Pain Measurement