[Remarkable effect of class Ib Na channel blocker on painful alcoholic neuropathy]

Two cases of painful alcoholic neuropathy are reported. The pain in both cases were incurable by using pain killing drugs, but administration of class Ib Na channel blocker, mexiletine, was remarkably effective. In the first case, suspension of drug administration produced the recurrence in the pain. Objective findings, for example, deep tendon reflex, vibration sense, and nerve conduction velocity, did not change significantly, after medication. And the only side effect was hot sensation in the lower extremities. We report the pain killing effect of class Ib Na channel blocker on painful alcoholic neuropathy, that has not yet reported.