Gabapentin for opiod-related myoclonus in cancer patients.
Chronic opioid medication has been found to cause myoclonus in patients taking it for cancer pain. Gabapentin seemed a likely candidate for the treatment of this myoclonus and has indeed proved useful, as illustrated in this paper by two case histories.
Mercadante
S
S
Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit, La Maddalena Cancer Centre, Palermo, Italy. mercadsa@tin.it
Villari
P
P
Fulfaro
F
F
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000588:Amines; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin