Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
07:09
The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
49.1K
Pharmacotherapeutic Options for Managing Pain in Multiple Sclerosis
Giulia Di Stefano1, Gianfranco De Stefano1, Andrea Di Lionardo1
1Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, viale Università 30, 00185, Rome, Italy.
CNS Drugs
|May 10, 2020
Summary
Effective pain management in multiple sclerosis (MS) is crucial. This review highlights evidence-based pharmacological treatments for MS pain subtypes, guiding better patient outcomes and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Pain significantly impacts multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' quality of life.
- Prevalence of pain in MS varies widely (26-86%).
- Diverse pain subtypes exist in MS, each with unique pathophysiological mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide current, evidence-based knowledge on pharmacological treatments for various MS pain types.
- To synthesize findings from a systematic literature search on MS pain management.
- To guide clinicians in selecting appropriate therapies based on pain characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to November 2019.
- Inclusion of 27 randomized controlled trials.
- Independent study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment by two authors.
Main Results:
- Limited stratification of patients by pain quality in identified trials.
- Mechanism-based treatment approach recommended.
- Sodium-channel blockers for paroxysmal pain and painful tonic spasms.
- Gabapentinoids and antidepressants for ongoing extremity pain.
Conclusions:
- Tailoring pharmacological treatment to specific MS pain subtypes is essential.
- Sodium-channel blockers are indicated for paroxysmal MS pain.
- Gabapentinoids and antidepressants are effective for ongoing extremity pain in MS.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
1.4K
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
1.4K
01:15Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
808
Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
808
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
372
Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Pharmacologic...
372
01:28Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
2.9K
Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
2.9K
01:24Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
1.1K
Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
1.1K
01:31Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
803
Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx...
803