The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of regional intravenous guanethidine and reserpine in reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A controlled, randomized, double-blind crossover study.
Both regional intravenous guanethidine and reserpine have been reported as effective in the treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Reserpine depletes storage of norepinephrine, and guanethidine interferes with transport of norepinephrine while depleting storage in the sympathetic nerve terminal. The purpose of this study was to compare drug efficacy in double-blind fashion. ⋯ Pain relief from 2 to 14 months was achieved in two patients receiving reserpine, one receiving guanethidine, and none receiving lidocaine. None of the patients experienced permanent relief. No difference was found between reserpine and guanethidine.