Open AccessDextromethorphan: A Review of N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate Receptor Antagonist in the Management of Pain
Author(s) -
Siu Anita,
Drachtman Richard
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cns drug reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-3458
pISSN - 1080-563X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2007.00006.x
Subject(s) - dextromethorphan , nmda receptor , pharmacology , neurotoxicity , antagonist , receptor antagonist , antagonism , chemistry , medicine , receptor , toxicity , biochemistry
Dextromethorphan (DM) is a noncompetitive N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, which is widely used as an antitussive agent. DM also prevents neuronal damage and modulates pain sensation via noncompetitive antagonism of excitatory amino acids (EAAs). DM has been found to be useful in the treatment of pain in cancer patients and in the treatment of methotrexate‐induced neurotoxicity. Clinical studies with DM in cancer patients are reviewed in this article.