Update on pharmacotherapy guidelines for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Douglas A Dobecki, Sanford M Schocket, Mark S Wallace
• Journal: Current pain and headache reports (Curr Pain Headache Rep) Vol. 10 Issue 3 Pg. 185-90 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 1531-3433 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18778572 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Central Nervous System Agents

Topics

• Central Nervous System Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Neuralgia (drug therapy)
• Practice Guidelines as Topic