|  | Conditions Treatments | Neurological Disorders

Medications Used for Neuropathy

There is no cure for neuropathy (disorders of the peripheral nerves). Medications are intended to reduce symptoms, relieve pain and manage complications. Symptoms of neuropathy include numbness and tingling, and as the disease progresses, many people experience intense burning pain or stabbing pain.

  1. The Facts

    • Treating neuropathic pain can be challenging. The pain from nerve damage is often severe and in many people doesn't respond to analgesics, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Treatment focuses on medications that target nerve cells.

    Types of Medications

    • Types of medications used to treat neuropathy include tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants and opoids. Some types of neuropathy respond to topical treatments with lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream.

    Finding the Right Medication

    • Finding a medication that works to control your neuropathic pain may require trial and error. Your doctor may recommend a combination of medications. Use the lowest dose possible to reduce side effects.

    Considerations

    • Identifying the underlying cause can help in choosing a medication to treat neuropathy. Autoimmune conditions that lead to neuropathy may respond to immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisone.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Strict control of blood glucose levels may reduce symptoms and help people with diabetic neuropathy prevent further damage. Physical therapy and orthopedic interventions may also be recommended to help ease the pain of neuropathy.

Neurological Disorders - Related Articles