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Neuropathy Pain Relief

Neuropathy is a term used to describe nerve damage in the body. It has a number of potential causes, including direct trauma, diabetes, autoimmune disease, alcoholism, toxin exposure, vitamin deficiency and genetic predisposition. Among its many effects, neuropathy can trigger pain in the hands, fingers, feet, toes, arms, hips, buttocks and thighs. There are multiple treatment options to relieve or reduce this pain.

  1. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

    • According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), your doctor may choose to treat your neuropathy pain with any one of several different classes of medication.

      If your pain is relatively minor, your doctor may suggest beginning treatment with an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Be aware that these drugs, which are effective in other pain-related circumstances, are not particularly suitable for most forms of nerve pain. If you take these medications, it is possible that side effects from their use will outweigh any benefits you might receive. Consult your doctor for a suitable alternative if this is the case.

    Antidepressant Treatments

    • Your doctor may also treat your symptoms through use of tricyclic antidepressants, a group of medications that provide pain relief in addition to their more traditional mood-altering roles. They achieve this effect by disrupting certain chemical signals in your spinal cord and brain. Examples of these compounds include imipramine, desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Pamelor) and amitriptyline. Your doctor may also prescribe another class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work by blocking the normal absorption rates of the neurotransmitter serotonin in certain nerve cells of your brain. Examples of common SSRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta), citalopram (Celexa) and paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva). Cymbalta is specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat neuropathy pain related to diabetes.

    Anticonvulsant Treatments

    • Certain anticonvulsant medications may also be used to treat your neuropathy pain. Common examples include gabapentin (Neurontin, Gabarone), lamotrigine (Lamictal) and carbamazepine. The anticonvulsant pregabalin (Lyrica) is specifically approved by the FDA for diabetic neuropathy pain.

    Topical Treatments

    • Your doctor may also use topical treatments to address your symptoms. Lidocaine patches contain an anesthetic, and can be applied to painful areas of your body as many as three times a day. They are most commonly used on the feet. You may also obtain pain relief from topical applications of capsaicin cream, as well as nitrate patches and sprays. The NDIC also cites evening primrose oil and the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid for their pain-relieving properties. These compounds may also help improve your nerve function.

    Opioid Treatments

    • If your pain is particularly severe and cannot be eased through other methods, your doctor may also prescribe an opium-based medication such as codeine or oxycodone. He may also prescribe the opioid tramadol, which is both a pain reliever and an antidepressant. Like all oral medications for neuropathy, these compounds carry the risk of serious side effects. Consult your doctor for a full explanation of any medication he may prescribe.

    Alternative Treatments

    • In addition to drug-based methods, your doctor may recommend alternative treatment approaches such as biofeedback, acupuncture or physical therapy.

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