[Relief of neuropathic pain with intravenous magnesium].
We investigated the effect of intravenous magnesium, a N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, in 8 patients suffering from neuropathic pain (post herpetic neuralgia or causalgia etc.). After the nerve block, magnesium sulphate (0.5 mol.l-1) 5 ml was administered intravenously by bolus infusion taking 5 min, followed by continuous infusion of the same dose for one hour. All patients were treated with this therapy once a week. In 4 patients, VAS score decreased 3 points or more when this therapy had been administered 3 to 11 times. In 2 patients, VAS score did not change, and the analgesic effect of magnesium was not certain in other 2 patients. Some patients felt heat sensation immediately after the bolus infusion of Mg, and had a good sleep after this therapy. However, there were not any severe side effects and significant change in HR or BP. We conclude that this therapy with magnesium once a week is safe and effective for relieving neuropathic pain.
Tanaka
M
M
Department of Anesthesiology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki.
Shimizu
S
S
Nishimura
W
W
Mine
O
O
Akatsuka
M
M
Inamori
K
K
Mori
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002422:Causalgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate