SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA WITH ORAL KETAMINE

Objective: To demonstrate the possibilities of the use of oral ketamin e in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Setting: A pain clinic i n a university hospital. Patient: A patient with postherpetic neuralgi a of the ophthalmic nerve. Intervention: Subcutaneous and later oral k etamine after classical treatment had failed. Results: A complete reco very was accomplished without any sign of side effects. Conclusions: O ral ketamine may provide an alternative in the treatment of postherpet ic neuralgia. The possible mechanism of action by its N-methyl-D-aspar tate (NMDA) blocking properties is discussed.