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Current pharmacologic approaches to treating neuropathic pain
1York Hospital Pain Relief Center, 400 Pine Grove Commons, Suite 200, York, PA 17403, USA. tvu@aayofpa.com
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|January 21, 2004
Summary
Many existing medications, including anticonvulsants and antidepressants, effectively treat neuropathic pain. Newer agents offer improved side-effect profiles, but research continues for ideal neuropathic pain medications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neuropathic pain management often utilizes medications initially developed for other conditions.
- Anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, and antidepressants are established treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of medications used for neuropathic pain.
- To highlight the efficacy and side-effect profiles of various drug classes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of established and emerging neuropathic pain therapies.
- Analysis of drug classes including anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, and antidepressants.
Main Results:
- Carbamazepine and newer anticonvulsants (gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine) are first-line or adjunctive therapies.
- Systemic or topical lidocaine is effective for specific neuropathic pain types.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine) manage pain independently of antidepressant effects.
Conclusions:
- Current neuropathic pain analgesics have significant side effects requiring careful management.
- Future research aims to develop targeted neuropathic pain medications with improved efficacy and fewer adverse effects.