Topical (S)-ketamine for pain management of postherpetic neuralgia.
Herpes zoster infection may cause postherpetic neuralgia, which is defined by prolonged pain predominantly mediated by central nervous system hypersensitivity. This phenomenon may be reversed by (S)-ketamine (SKET), but its use results in intolerable side effects, while its topical administration seems to be safe. It is a cross-over design study with 12 patients randomly divided into two groups. There was a significant effect of time on pain intensity, but no statistical difference in pain scores for SKET or placebo use in this sample in this treatment regimen. Only few mild cutaneous reactions were observed with topical SKET use.
Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", SP, Brazil. barros@fmb.unesp.br
Guilherme Antonio Moreira de
GA
Barros
Hélio Amante
HA
Miot
Ademir Massarico
AM
Braz
Flávia
F
Ramos
Marcos Aristoteles
MA
Borges
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000700:Analgesics; D007649:Ketamine