Abstract | INTRODUCTION: MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with acute stroke causing moderate deficit were randomized to be treated with either dextromethorphan 300 mg per day or placebo for 5 days. Plasma level of dextromethorphan and its active metabolite was not evaluated in this study. The NIHSS score was calculated on day 5 and the Barthel activities of daily living index and Rankin score were checked after 3 months by a blinded investigator. Collected data were analysed using the t-test and χ(2) test. RESULTS: In the dextromethorphan-treated group, the mean NIHSS score was 16.8 ±3.9 at baseline, and was 14.2 ±4.8 for the placebo-treated group (p = 0.069). At day 5, there was also no significant difference regarding NIHSS score (p = 0.167). At the 3-month follow-up, there was no significant difference regarding Barthel scale and Rankin score between the dextromethorphan and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that although low-dose and short-term oral administration of dextromethorphan seems to be not neuroprotective, it does not worsen either patients' condition or NIHSS score. Moreover, patients treated with dextromethorphan showed a significant reduction in seizures (complication after stroke), but had increased chance of MI and renal failure by almost 5% when compared to the placebo-treated groups. More prolonged studies with a higher number of cases are recommended.
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Authors | Seyed Ali Mousavi, Mohammad Saadatnia, Faribourz Khorvash, Tahereh Hoseini, Payam Sariaslani |
Journal | Archives of medical science : AMS
(Arch Med Sci)
Vol. 7
Issue 3
Pg. 465-9
(Jun 2011)
ISSN: 1896-9151 [Electronic] Poland |
PMID | 22295030
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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