Flecainide for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Phase II Trial

Fecha de inicio: 4 de mayo de 1998

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Chronic neuropathic pain with diagnosis of cancer or AIDS PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular: No clinical history of infarction or angina No advanced heart failure No sick sinus syndrome, intraventricular conduction disease, second or third degree AV block or arrhythmias requiring treatment (exception may be granted by cardiac consult) No focal wall motion abnormalities Ejection fraction at least 40% Systolic blood pressure at least 90 mm Hg Other: Must be able to take oral medication No known allergy or adverse reaction to flecainide, mexilitene or any other type I antiarrhythmic drug Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior chemotherapy that may cause neuropathy Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior corticosteroids Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: No tricyclic antidepressant treatment within past 2 weeks No concurrent use of flecainide, mexiletene or any other type I antiarrhythmic drug