[Drug treatment for neuropathic pain]

Presse Med. 2008 Feb;37(2 Pt 2):346-53. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2007.07.023. Epub 2008 Jan 4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Neuropathic pain remains difficult to treat. Treatments with established efficacy in several neuropathic conditions include tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin and strong opioids. Duloxetine and venlafaxine, both antidepressants, and tramadol, an opioid agonist, are also known to be effective in painful polyneuropathies, while lidocaine patches produce analgesic effects, mainly in postherpetic neuralgia. Studies show that pregabalin, gabapentin and duloxetine have positive effects that improve quality of life, and anxiety, depressive, and sleep disorders.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy*
  • Tramadol / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Tramadol