Abstract

CEVAS, J.; SOMOVILLA, M.; RODRIGUEZ, C.  and  GARCIA-LLANO, J. L.. Topiramate: an alternative for patients with neuropathic pain refractory to treament with opiates and other anticonvulsants. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2005, vol.12, n.2, pp.93-97. ISSN 1134-8046.

Neuropathic pain in cancer patients is a difficult problem, given the limited effectiveness of treatments that raise a therapeutic challenge for health professionals providing care to these patients. Recent studies have shown again the effectiveness of opiates for the management of this type of pain. The introduction of gabapentin has given hope to patients and health professionals, but it has therapeutic failures with a difficult rescue. We present a series of 16 patients with advanced cancer and neuropathic pain refractory to prior treatments, including gabapentin, that received low doses of topiramate as rescue therapy. Pain relief was satisfactory in 7 of the 16 patients treated and pain severity score improved more than 50%. We describe the patient characteristics, the assessment scales that were used and the side effects that were reported. Three patients discontinued the study medication before the end of the study because of psychological effects.

Keywords : Neuropathic pain; Lack of therapeutic response; Topiramate.

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