What are the recommended starting dosages for medications to treat Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)?

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Last updated: March 26, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

The recommended starting dosages for medications to treat Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) include 30 mg once daily of Duloxetine, 37.5 mg once or twice daily of Venlafaxine, 100-300 mg at bedtime or 100-300 mg 3 times daily of Gabapentin, and 50 mg 3 times daily or 75 mg twice daily of Pregabalin. When considering treatment options for RSI, it is essential to evaluate the patient's overall health and potential contraindications. The following medications and their starting dosages can be considered:

  • Duloxetine: 30 mg once daily, which can be increased to 60 mg once daily after 1 week 1
  • Venlafaxine: 37.5 mg once or twice daily, which can be increased by 75 mg each week 1
  • Gabapentin: 100-300 mg at bedtime or 100-300 mg 3 times daily, which can be increased by 100-300 mg 1-7 days as tolerated 1
  • Pregabalin: 50 mg 3 times daily or 75 mg twice daily, which can be increased to 300 mg/d after 3-7 days, then by 150 mg/d every 3-7 days as tolerated 1 It is crucial to consider lower starting dosages and slower titration in geriatric patients, as well as potential drug interactions and side effects. Additionally, topical lidocaine can be considered as a treatment option, with a starting dosage of 5% lidocaine patch, maximum of 3 patches daily for a maximum of 12-18 hours 1. The choice of medication and dosage should be individualized based on the patient's specific needs and medical history.

From the Research

Medications for Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

There are no research papers to assist in answering this question as the provided studies focus on rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in medical settings, not Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

Alternative Uses of RSI Medications

  • The medications mentioned in the studies, such as succinylcholine and rocuronium, are used for rapid sequence intubation and are not typically used to treat Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • These medications are used to facilitate endotracheal intubation and are not used to treat musculoskeletal injuries or conditions such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

Dosages for RSI Medications

  • The dosages for succinylcholine and rocuronium vary depending on the patient and the medical setting, but typical dosages include:
    • Succinylcholine: at least 1 mg/kg 3
    • Rocuronium: at least 0.6 mg/kg 3
  • These dosages are for rapid sequence intubation and are not relevant to the treatment of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

Treatment of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

  • There is no information in the provided studies on the treatment of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or the recommended starting dosages for medications to treat this condition.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Rapid sequence intubation: a review of recent evidences.

Reviews on recent clinical trials, 2009

Research

Rocuronium versus succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction intubation.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2015

Research

Rapid-sequence intubation and the role of the emergency department pharmacist.

American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2011

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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