Drug - namenda for pain? Just prescribed
 

I have been researching on both forums as well as the internet for the past few months and came up with a list of new drugs for my Dr. to try. (remember me - I've tried 35 with no relief of severe 24/7 pain of FM and RSD and neuropathic condition in mouth, lips, teeth, gums). Wild!
Anyway my Dr. reviewed my list and chose Namenda. I had read where it is used for Parkinson's patients but has also been used for Fibro.
I started on 20 mg. a day.
Now I went on the internet and googled namenda and it only says it is for Alsheimers. My Dr. even said it was used for Parkinsons and may help me.
Anyone used this or heard of it? Probably Mrs. D will know.
I don't have high hopes - but I never have side effects from high dosages so it's worth a try.
Thanks,
Sydney

Sydney,
I don't know if this will help you or not but your post got me curious.
I'm sure someone will be able to give you more info, in the meantime I thought what I had found was interesting as I had never heard of this drug before.

I found that Namenda is in a family of meds called NMBA receptor antagonists and that these meds are used often for neuropathic pain.

I know that isn't much info but I find it interesting the off label uses they have for so many meds.
The first time I filled a script for neurontin many years ago it flipped me out and I though the Dr wrote the wrong script when it said it was for seizures..

I hope you are able to find the answers your looking for and more then that I hope you get the relief you need.
Like you I have tried many meds not nearly what you have though.
Good luck,
Linda

In Europe
 

Namenda was used for neuropathy, before it was approved by the FDA here.

It did not pass studies results for pain relief by the FDA. I have seen studies
on PubMed where pain indications were not appreciably changed by it.

It does work on NMDA receptors tho. With time it has not shown good results for Alzheimer's either. In Britain they have taken it off the National formulary there.

In USA the insurances still pay for it. But if a new agent is developed, that is better, I expect to see it fall into disuse here as well.

It is worth a try for you since it does not cause serious side effects. If it doesn't work, then at least you will know that.

Here is a paper about 6 people...who benefited. Notice it is from Europe:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

These less glowing results:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=14742379

My neurologist prescribed Namenda 5 mg at bedtime for pain. I have severe pain that comes and goes in my right groin area and low back. My primary care physician asked why I am on Namenda. Was it for my memory and I told him no for pain. The nurse practitioner asked the same question and I replied the same. He then said it is for memory. I told him again my neurologist prescribed it for PAIN. I have a very brilliant and highly educated neurologist. His major was not just neurology....neurosurgeon and neuro-psychology.
:)

I believe in US the FDA has not approved Namenda for pain.

However it can be used off label for this indication. That is the doctor's perogative. One thing to keep in mind is that your insurance may then flag you as having Alzheimer's. Don't be surprised if this happens.

The reason most doctors don't know, is because the sales reps are not allowed to encourage off label use and probably didn't tell them. Only those who follow international research online or at teaching hospitals would know about the European studies.

Some of the posters at our RSD forum use Namenda for their RSD pain.