Treatment of neuropathic pain with venlafaxine.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report a case of successful treatment of neuropathic pain with venlafaxine.

CASE REPORT:

A 39-year-old white woman presented with neuropathic back pain. The patient obtained 50% pain relief with consecutive use of amitriptyline, desipramine, and imipramine. Anticholinergic effects prompted a switch to extended-release venlafaxine 75 mg/d. Pain relief was as effective with this therapy as with the tricyclic antidepressants. The absence of adverse effects allowed the patient to discontinue all laxatives.

DISCUSSION:

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant that inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. This is the major mechanism by which tricyclic antidepressants relieve neuropathic pain. Venlafaxine does not bind to muscarinic-cholinergic, histaminic or alpha1-adrenergic receptors responsible for the common adverse effects seen with tricyclic antidepressants.

CONCLUSIONS:

This report describes the efficacious use of venlafaxine in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Double-blind, randomized, controlled trials are needed to explore this further.

• Authors: J E Sumpton, D E Moulin
• Journal: The Annals of pharmacotherapy (Ann Pharmacother) Vol. 35 Issue 5 Pg. 557-9 (May 2001) ISSN: 1060-0280 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11346061 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cyclohexanols
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Topics

• Adult
• Cyclohexanols (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (drug therapy)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Venlafaxine Hydrochloride