2006 Volume 26 Issue 3 Pages 266-271
Na+ channel blockers (anti-arrhythmic) have been frequently used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Lidocaine and mexiletine were mainly used as analgesic agents. In recent years, the effectiveness of flecainide (Vaughan-Williams classification: Ic) on neuropathic pain has been reported. This medicine can be used both orally and intravenously, with long-lasting effects.
Twenty-four patients with severe neuropathic pain were treated with nerve block therapy. Patients with histories of severe cardiac diseases were excluded from the study. Patients who had positive drug challenge tests (DCT) with lidocaine (2mg/kg/10min) were prescribed mexiletine. Patients whose pain was not relieved with lidocaine then received intravenous infusion of flecainide (2mg/kg/10min) .
In 13 out of 24 cases, neuropathic pain was relieved by flecainide more than by lidocaine or mexiletine. In the treatment of intractable pain, drugs should be used in combination with other drugs. In this study, the effectiveness of flecainide on neuropathic pain was suggested.
