ON THE SUBJECT OF INTRA-THECAL PHARMACEUTICALS…
Over the years, I’ve received numerous calls and questions regarding the chemical characteristics of intra-thecal medications. In answer to these queries, I’ve decided to get the ball rolling by sharing some published information with you – on solubility and syringe composition limits – information that I believe will prove of [...]

Bupivacaine is a local and central nervous system anesthetic drug originally discovered in 1957 along with mepivacaine. German chemical engineers isolated bupivacaine from a compound called cinchocaine. Bupivacaine, which has a unique structural design, produces nerve blocks for up to eight hours and is considered a second-line drug for the treatment of pain by the [...]

The drug clonidine hydrochloride was synthesized in 1962 as a derivative of a known alpha sympathomimetic drug, naphazoline, which proved to be an effective treatment for mild to severe hypertension. Clonidine was discovered by scientists at Boehringer and marketed under the brand name of Catapres. It is classified as an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist for [...]

Hydromorphone is a semi-synthetic opioid discovered in Germany in 1921 and introduced into clinical practice in 1926. Hydromorphone is structurally similar to morphine acting on ? receptors and, to a lesser extent, delta receptors. This drug is often considered a second-line drug for pain management.
Hydromorphone is four to five times more potent than morphine sulfate, [...]

Baclofen is an agonist of gamma-amminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which acts on receptors in the brainstem and dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The drug is used primarily in the treatment of such conditions as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis; however, the chemical also possesses analgesic properties. Intraspinal administration of [...]

For some readers, much of what is stated here is review – while to others, it is enlightening. This article describes the properties of fentanyl citrate and the appropriate dosing for converting patients from morphine to fentanyl for intrathecal treatment of chronic pain.
Patented by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in 1963, fentanyl is a potent narcotic analgesic primarily [...]

The following is a discussion of ziconotide’s efficacy, appropriate dosage, and interaction with other drugs. Ziconotide, or Prialt®, is the newest pain treatment drug approved by the FDA for intraspinal administration. Its introduction into the health care market was an occasion for much fanfare and drama. Having extensively researched ziconotide, I find it very effective [...]