Conclusion
NMDA antagonists in general and D-cycloserine (DCS) in specific have
demonstrated extensive promise in the laboratory for the treatment of
chronic pain and early promise in a clinical trial. Similarly,
5-HT2A antagonists show promise in the treatment of
chronic pain. However, the well-known psychotogenic side effects of NMDA
drugs and the potential for akathisia associated with chronic 5-HT2A
antagonist drugs have limited their respective use in patients with
chronic pain. The combined administration of DCS and lurasidone has been
demonstrated in psychiatry-focused clinical trials to be nontoxic and
the psychotogenic side effects of DCS appear to be blocked by
lurasidone. The extensive body of nonclinical evidence combined with
early clinical evidence supports the advancement of this drug
combination to broader clinical study.