Memantine (Namenda) for neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is common in the palliative care population; unless adequately treated, the pain can lead to chronic anxiety, depression, and social impairment. Many treatments have been proposed for neuropathic pain; however, it remains underdiagnosed, under-treated, and often requires long-term therapy with risk of adverse effects. Memantine (Namenda), an N-Methyl, D-aspartate receptor inhibitor currently marketed for the treatment of dementia, has been proposed as a medication for the treatment of neuropathic pain for its mechanism, safety, lack of serious adverse effects, and relatively rapid onset of action. However, clinical trials have not been promising so far and its routine use in neuropathic pain is not currently recommended.
Rogers
Mailien
M
Department of Internal Medicine, ETSU College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA.
Rasheed
Atif
A
Moradimehr
Abdolali
A
Baumrucker
Steven J
SJ
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D010166:Palliative Care; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D008559:Memantine