Update on pharmacotherapy guidelines for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a common problem in our society affecting nearly 1.5% of the US population. There currently are five medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of neuropathic pain, which include gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, 5% lidocaine patch, and carbamazepine. Other agents with proven efficacy in multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials include opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, venlafaxine, and tramadol. All of these agents, both FDA-approved and off-label, have been recommended as first-line treatments for neuropathic pain. This article discusses these agents in detail as they relate to the treatment of neuropathic pain.