Successful treatment by adding duloxetine to pregabalin for peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel.

Abstract

Although paclitaxel is a commonly used anticancer drug, peripheral neuropathy may develop as a side effect. Worsening of the symptoms with time may cause patients who receive paclitaxel to give up their chemotherapy. Duloxetine, a serotonin- and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor, has been used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain. We report the case of a 68-year-old man with gastric cancer, who underwent gastrectomy and then received 8 cycles of chemotherapy involving weekly administrations of paclitaxel. Under this paclitaxel treatment, he complained of severe peripheral neuropathy, leading to a diminished quality of life. Following treatment with a combination of duloxetine and pregabalin, a remission of his symptoms was achieved. Duloxetine plus pregabalin therapy may be useful for the peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel.

• Authors: Motoyasu Takenaka, Hiroki Iida, Shigemi Matsumoto, Shinobu Yamaguchi, Noritaka Yoshimura, Maki Miyamoto
• Journal: The American journal of hospice & palliative care (Am J Hosp Palliat Care) Vol. 30 Issue 7 Pg. 734-6 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1938-2715 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23064035 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thiophenes
• Pregabalin
• Duloxetine Hydrochloride
• Paclitaxel

Topics

• Duloxetine Hydrochloride
• Humans
• Paclitaxel
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (chemically induced)
• Pregabalin
• Quality of Life
• Thiophenes