This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (77)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Fuad Lechin, MD; Bertha van der Dijs, MD; Marcel E. Lechin, MD; José Amat, MD, PhD; Alex E. Lechin, MD; Alejandra Cabrera, MSc; Francisco Gómez, MD; Emilio Acosta, MD; Luis Arocha, MD; Simón Villa, MD; Vladimir Jiménez, MSc

Arch Neurol. 1989;46(9):960-963.

Abstract
• Pimozide was compared with carbamazepine in a double-blind crossover trial in 48 patients with trigeminal neuralgia who were refractory to medical therapy. Pimozide treatment produced greater reduction in trigeminal neuralgia symptoms than carbamazepine treatment. All of the pimozide-treated patients improved, while only 56% of carbamazepine-treated patients were relieved of their pain. Although both drugs provoked some adverse effects, it was not necessary to interrupt the trial in any case. After this 24-week trial, all patients began receiving pimozide and were followed up according to an open-label study design. In all cases, the pimozide dosage was progressively reduced until the minimal effective dose was reached. Central and peripheral mechanisms that may underlie pimozide-induced improvement are discussed.

Author Affiliations
From the Sections of Psychopharmacology (Drs F. Lechin, van der Dijs, M. Lechin, and A. Lechin, and Mr Jiménez), Psychosomatic Medicine (Drs F. Lechin, van der Dijs, M. Lechin, A. Lechin, Gómez, Acosta, and Arocha), Neurology-Neurophysiology (Dr Amat and Mr Jiménez), and Clinical Neurochemistry (Drs F. Lechin and van der Dijs and Mr Jiménez), the Institute of Experimental Medicine, Central University of Venezuela School of Medicine, Caracas; the Department of Internal Medicine, Centro Clinico Profesional Caracas (Venezuela) (Drs F. Lechin, van der Dijs, M. Lechin, A. Lechin, and Villa); and the Hans Selye Institute of Psychosomatic Medicine, Caracas, Venezuela (Drs F. Lechin, van der Dijs, Gómez, Acosta, and Arocha and Ms Cabrera).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication January 24, 1989.

Reprint requests to Apartado 80983, Caracas 1080-A, Venezuela (Dr Fuad Lechin).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Practice Parameter: The diagnostic evaluation and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the European Federation of Neurological Societies
Gronseth et al.
Neurology 2008;71:1183-1190.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Use of anticonvulsants for treatment of neuropathic pain
Backonja
Neurology 2002;59:S14-17.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Symptomatic therapy for underrecognized manifestations of multiple sclerosis
Krupp and Rizvi
Neurology 2002;58:S32-39.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trigeminal Neuralgia: New Treatment Options for a Well-known Cause of Facial Pain
Delzell and Grelle
Arch Fam Med 1999;8:264-268.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Anticonvulsant drugs for management of pain: a systematic review
McQuay et al.
BMJ 1995;311:1047-1052.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Pimozide Therapy for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Ecker
Arch Neurol 1990;47:382-382.
ABSTRACT  

Pimozide Therapy for Trigeminal Neuralgia-Reply
Lechin
Arch Neurol 1990;47:382-382.
ABSTRACT