• Zvia Rudich, Jennifer Stinson, Michael Jeavons, and Stephen C Brown.
• Department of Anasthesia, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada.
• Pain Res Manag. 2003 Jan 1; 8 (4): 221-4.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of dronabinol for the treatment of neuropathic pain refractory to previous treatment.MethodsWe studied the response (reduction of pain intensity and functional improvement) to dronabinol (5 mg/day to 25 mg/day) in two adolescents with neuropathic pain and depression refractory to previous treatments over two and five years, respectively.ResultsReduction in pain intensity (45%) was achieved in patient 2 and was unchanged in patient 1. Functional improvement was markedly increased in terms of academic performance, mood and sleep in both patients over four to five months, without major adverse effects. While these improvements dissipated over time, the patients were more reconnected with rehabilitation and focused less on the intrusiveness of their pain problem in their every day lives.ConclusionsDronabinol appeared to be effective in improving pain affect and psychosocial functioning in the treatment of refractory neuropathic pain and may be considered as an adjuvant medication in the rehabilitation process. Well-controlled placebo studies are required for further evaluation.

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