Treatment of chronic intractable neuropathic pain with dronabinol: case report of two adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of dronabinol for the treatment of neuropathic pain refractory to previous treatment.


METHODS
We studied the response (reduction of pain intensity and functional improvement) to dronabinol (5 mg/day to 25 mg/day) in two adolescents with neuropathic pain and depression refractory to previous treatments over two and five years, respectively.


RESULTS
Reduction in pain intensity (45%) was achieved in patient 2 and was unchanged in patient 1. Functional improvement was markedly increased in terms of academic performance, mood and sleep in both patients over four to five months, without major adverse effects. While these improvements dissipated over time, the patients were more reconnected with rehabilitation and focused less on the intrusiveness of their pain problem in their every day lives.


CONCLUSIONS
Dronabinol appeared to be effective in improving pain affect and psychosocial functioning in the treatment of refractory neuropathic pain and may be considered as an adjuvant medication in the rehabilitation process. Well-controlled placebo studies are required for further evaluation.
Rudich
Zvia
Z
Department of Anasthesia, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada.
Stinson
Jennifer
J
Jeavons
Michael
M
Brown
Stephen C
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D013759:Dronabinol