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Published on: March 28, 2025
361
Nanotechnology for Pain Management.
Jacques E Chelly1,2, Shiv K Goel1, Jeremy Kearns1
1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 11, 2024
Summary
Nanotechnology offers new pain relief options, including liposome drug delivery and nanocapacitor patches, potentially reducing opioid use for acute and chronic pain. Further research is needed to confirm efficacy, especially for device-based treatments.
Area of Science:
- Medical Nanotechnology
- Pain Management
Background:
- The opioid crisis necessitates non-pharmacologic pain management alternatives.
- Nanotechnology advancements have yielded nanotransporters (e.g., liposomes) and devices (e.g., nanocapacitors) for drug delivery and pain relief.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of nanotechnology in managing acute and chronic pain.
- To explore nanotechnology-based drug transporters and devices for pain management.
Main Methods:
- Conducted Google and PubMed searches using keywords related to nanotechnology and pain management.
- Focused on identifying studies, case reports, and reviews on nanotechnology applications in acute and chronic pain.
Main Results:
- Liposome formulations like DepoDur™ and Exparel™ provide extended-release analgesia.
- Zynrelef™ offers a combination of bupivacaine and meloxicam for surgical site application.
- Nanocapacitor devices/patches (Kailo™, NeuroCuple™) show potential in reducing acute and chronic pain, with one study indicating significant pain reduction and decreased opioid use.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology, via liposomes and nanocapacitor devices/patches, shows promise in reducing or eliminating opioid use for surgical patients.
- Further placebo-controlled studies are essential to validate the efficacy of nanotechnology-based devices/patches for pain management.
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