Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Development of Recombinant Proteins to Treat Chronic Pain
Published on: April 11, 2018
Alternative intrathecal agents for the treatment of pain
S J Hassenbusch1, J Garber, E Buchser
1University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Service d'Anesthésiologie et d'Antalgie, Ho\afpital de Zone, Morges, Switzerland; Swedish Pain Management Service, Swedish Hospital Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Abstract:
There is a need to develop alternative agents for intrathecal pain therapy for patients who either cannot tolerate the side effects of or who no longer obtain sufficient analgesia with opioids. The experimental use of several compounds in intrathecal drug delivery is currently in progress, with the development of clonidine as the single most important advance in the improvement of pain treatment. Clonidine, an α(2) -adrenergic receptor agonist, appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of cancer and nonmalignant pain, with its effects most pronounced in patients whose pain consists of a neuropathic component. Other possible effective agents for intrathecal delivery include bupivacaine, octreotide, and SNX-111. The preclinical and clinical profiles for these promising new intrathecal pain medications are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs through the...

