A presumed case of phantom limb pain treated successfully with duloxetine and pregabalin

David R Spiegel; Erik Lappinen; Michael Gottlieb

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2009.05.012

A presumed case of phantom limb pain treated successfully with duloxetine and pregabalin

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2010 Mar-Apr;32(2):228.e5-7. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2009.05.012. Epub 2009 Jul 3.

Authors

David R Spiegel¹, Erik Lappinen, Michael Gottlieb

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA. spiegedr@evms.edu

PMID: 20303003
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2009.05.012

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) may occur in nearly 80% of amputation patients. Current research has highlighted several changes that occur in the nociception pathway post amputation. With this knowledge, novel therapies were found that could decrease PLP. Two such drugs are duloxetine and pregabalin, each effecting unique steps in the nociception pathway. We also review the neurobiology and efficacy of this treatment strategy.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
Drug Therapy, Combination
Duloxetine Hydrochloride
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Nociceptors / physiology
Pain / diagnosis
Pain / drug therapy*
Pain / etiology*
Phantom Limb / complications*
Pregabalin
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
Thiophenes / therapeutic use*
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

Anticonvulsants
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
Thiophenes
Pregabalin
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Duloxetine Hydrochloride