Painful peripheral neuropathy and its nonsurgical treatment

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Research Abstract from Muscle Nerve. 2004 Jul;30(1):3-19.

Painful peripheral neuropathy and its nonsurgical treatment.

Wolfe GI, Trivedi JR.

Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical

Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390-8897, USA.

Treatment of neuropathic pain is the primary focus of management for

many patients with painful peripheral neuropathy. Antidepressants and

anticonvulsants are the two pharmacological classes most widely studied

and represent first-line agents in the management of neuropathic pain.

The number of pharmacological agents that have demonstrated

effectiveness for neuropathic pain continues to expand. In the current

review, we summarize data from randomized, controlled pharmacological

trials in painful peripheral neuropathies. Although neuropathic pain

management remains challenging because the response to therapy varies

considerably between patients, and pain relief is rarely complete, a

majority of patients can benefit from monotherapy using a well-chosen

agent or polypharmacy that combines medications with different

mechanisms of action.