Case report: Long-standing complex regional pain syndrome relieved by a cephalosporin antibiotic

Pain. 2014 Jul;155(7):1412-1415. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.03.014. Epub 2014 Mar 22.

Abstract

We describe a young woman who had had treatment-refractory complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for 6 years before receiving antibiotic treatment with cefadroxil (a cephalosporin derivative) for a minor infection. Cefadroxil reduced the patient's pain and motor dysfunction (dystonia and impaired voluntary movement) within days; the pain and motor disorder returned when cefadroxil was discontinued; and both again abated when cefadroxil was re-instituted. The patient has now had symptom relief for more than 3 years on continuing cefadroxil therapy. We discuss this case in the context of previous reports of antibiotic treatment relieving neuropathic pain in experimental animals.

Keywords: CRPS; Cefadroxil; Ceftriaxone; Cephalosporin; Neuropathic pain; RSD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cefadroxil / therapeutic use*
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / complications
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Dystonia / complications
  • Dystonia / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Maintenance Chemotherapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections / complications
  • Soft Tissue Infections / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cefadroxil