33
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
SHORT REPORT

Efficacy of milnacipran in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes

, , , &
Pages 68-71 | Received 24 Mar 2009, Accepted 24 Aug 2009, Published online: 29 Dec 2009
 

Abstract

Eleven outpatients with chronic pain syndromes other than fibromyalgia were treated for 12 weeks with milnacipran, a novel serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. The agent was administered at 50–150 mg/day, and the mean ± SD dose at 12 weeks or at the time drug treatment was stopped was 84.1 ± 32.2 mg/day. None of the patients met the DSM-IV criteria for a major depressive disorder. Abdominal, chest, back, arm, leg or glossal pain, or headache was involved. Pain was assessed clinically by means of a visual analog scale (VAS) before and 12 weeks after the start of milnacipran treatment, or at the time drug treatment was stopped. The mean ± SD decrease in VAS scores was 42.3 ± 31.6 (50.8 ± 49.2%). One patient discontinued treatment after 4 weeks because of nausea, whereas others tolerated the agent well. These results suggest that the use of milnacipran in patients with a variety of chronic pain syndromes is beneficial.

Acknowledgement

None.

Statement of interest

This study did not receive any financial or material support. The authors declare that they have no financial or other relationships relevant to the subject of this article.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.