Lamotrigine monotherapy for control of neuralgia after nerve section.
BACKGROUND
We present six patients treated only with the new-generation anticonvulsant lamotrigine to define its sole effect on neuralgia after nerve section.


METHODS
Previous surgical or pharmacological attempts failed to relieve this neuropathic pain in our patients. Before initiation of lamotrigine therapy, patients reported spontaneous and touch-evoked shooting pain followed by periods of burning pain. No breakthrough medication was needed during the maintenance phase of 1-23 months. Data were acquired by a pain diary on a weekly basis.


RESULTS
With 75-300 mg of lamotrigine per day, the burning and shooting pain intensity was relieved by 33-100%. Most obviously, the attack frequency of the shooting pain was reduced by 80-100%. No adverse effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that lamotrigine may be beneficial in the treatment of neuralgia after nerve section following the failure of previous pharmacological or surgical attempts.
Sandner-Kiesling
A
A
Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Karl Franzens-University, Graz, Austria. andreas.sandner@uni-graz.at
Rumpold Seitlinger
G
G
Dorn
C
C
Koch
H
H
Schwarz
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017763:Autonomic Denervation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013997:Time Factors; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine