Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes

[Guest guest]

J Neural Transm. 2005 Jun;112(6):735-49.

Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of neuropathic pain

syndromes.

Beniczky S, Tajti J, Timea Varga E, Vecsei L.

Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged,

Szeged, Hungary.

Neuropathic pain, caused or initiated by a primary lesion in the

peripheral or central nervous system, can result in a dramatic

reduction in the patient's quality of life. The expression

neuropathic pain covers a heterogeneous group of conditions,

including peripheral neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome,

trigeminal neuralgia and central pain.

Neuropathic pain poorly responds to conventional analgesics. However,

with appropriate therapy, a significant proportion of patients

experience a substantial pain reduction.

We present here an evidence-based review of the options for the

treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes. Consideration is given to

the mechanisms of action, numbers needed to treat (NNT), the

recommended doses and the most frequent side-effects of the drugs for

which consistent support has been found for treatment of these pain

conditions.