Pain is an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience but the most important signal that helps an individual to survive. It can be mild or severe including aching, prickling, stinging, burning, etc. Some forms of pain keep living beings safe because they can alert them to harmful changes.
There are various types of pain such as chronic pain, acute pain, and episodic pain, that can be caused by various health conditions in an individual. Also, it may categorised as Nociceptive pain, Neuropathic pain, and Nociplastic pain. To cure any type of this pain, there are various pain relief medicines also available on the market.
Today, in this blog we will discuss neuropathic pain and Medicines For Neuropathic Pain. So, let’s start the blog with the introduction of neuropathic pain.
What is Neuropathic Pain:
Neuropathic pain or nerve pain occurs when a person’s nervous system does not work properly. This leads to shooting or burning pain, for no apparent reason, in the individuals who are suffering from this problem. Neuropathic pain can be short-term or chronic, depending on the causes of the disorder.
Excess alcohol consumption, losing a limb, diabetes, nerve/spinal cord compression, etc. can lead to neuropathic pain.
Best 5 Medicines For Neuropathic Pain:
For treating nerve pain, doctors prescribe certain medication drugs along with other forms of treatment. Some medicines are mentioned below along with their forms, dosages, and side effects.
(1) Gabapentin
The generic medicine Gabapentin is one of the best Medicines For Neuropathic Pain. It is not only used for neuropathic pain but also for partial seizures. It is an anti-convulsant and belongs to a class of drugs called Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs.
Gabapentin is a prescription-only drug and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. The branded variant of gabapentin are Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin and Gabarone.
Forms of Gabapentin:
Generic gabapentin is available in the following forms:
- Oral Solution: The strength is 250 mg per 5 ml
- Tablets: Tablets are of the strengths 600 mg and 800 mg
- Capsules: Available strengths of capsules are 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg
Gabapentin dosage for Neuropathic pain:
The normal dosage of gabapentin for nerve pain is 300 mg per day. This dose might be changed by the doctor.
Gabapentin side effects:
- Weakness
- Problems with coordination
- Fever
- Headache
- Swelling of limbs
(2) Pregabalin
The generic drug pregabalin is used for treating nerve pain in diabetes patients. This drug is approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. It can only be purchased with a prescription.
Pregabalin belongs anticonvulsants drug class. The branded forms of pregabalin are Lyrica and Lyrica CR.
Forms of Pregabalin:
Generic pregabalin is available in various forms, they are:
Immediate release
(i) Oral Capsule: 100 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg
(ii) Oral Solution: 250 mg/5 mL
(ii) Oral Tablet: 600 mg and 800 mg
Extended-release
Extended-release oral tablets are available in various strengths such as 300 mg 450 mg 600 mg 750 mg and 900 mg
Pregabalin doses:
Adult patients suffering from neuropathic pain are prescribed 50 mg of pregabalin three times a day. The dose will be regulated, depending upon the body’s reaction, by the doctor.
The maximum dose of pregabalin should not exceed 300 mg a day.
Side effects of Pregabalin:
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vision Problems
(3) Duloxetine
Duloxetine is a serotonin more-epinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It is a generic drug and the branded variants of this medicine are Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle, and Irenka.
Duloxetine is a prescription-only medicine and is approved by the FDA.
Forms of Duloxetine:
Duloxetine is available in delayed-release oral capsules, with the strengths 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg.
Duloxetine Dosage for Nerve Pain:
For adults, the treatment of neuropathic pain is started with 30 mg of duloxetine per day. The doctor might change the dose.
Side Effects of Duloxetine:
- Feeling lethargic
- Weightloss
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
(4) Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is a generic drug, belonging to the class called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). It is approved by the FDA for treating depression, anxiety and cataplexy. However, it is used off-label for treating neuropathic pain.
Venlafaxine is a prescription-only drug, and its branded variants are Effexor XR and Effexor.
Forms of Venlafaxine:
The forms of venlafaxine are as follows:
(i) Oral capsules (Extended Release) are of the strengths 37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg.
(ii) Oral tablets of strengths 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg and 100 mg are available.
(iii) Oral tablets (Extended Release) have strengths of 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 112.5 mg 150 mg, and 225 mg.
Venlafaxine dosage:
The initial dose of 150 mg per day is prescribed by healthcare professionals.
Side Effects of Venlafaxine:
The side effects of venlafaxine include:
- Faintness
- Tiredness
- Ringing in ears
- Dry mouth
- Reduction of appetite
- Excessive sweating
- Diarrhea
(5) Tapentadol
Tapentadol is an opioid, which is used to provide relief from mild to severe pain. It is used after other medications have not proven to be useful.
Tapentadol can only be purchased if the buyer has a prescription letter from a healthcare professional. It is approved by the FDA but has a high potential for abuse.
Branded versioins of generic tapentadol are Nucynta and Nucynta ER.
Forms of Tapentadol:
- Immediate-release tablets of tapentadol are of strengths 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg.
- Extended-release tablets have strengths of 50 mg 100 mg 150 mg 200 mg and 250 mg.
Dose:
To provide relief from nerve pain, the healthcare professionals will administer an initial dose of 50 mg per day. This dose will be changed by your doctor, in an attempt to produce ideal results.
Side Effects of Tapentadol:
Tapentadol like all medicines has side effects, which include the following:
- Feeling hot
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
Conclusion:
Nerve pain can stem from numerous complications, and living with them can be a hassle. Hence, to treat this pain, doctors prescribe medicines, and some of such medicines for neuropathic pain are mentioned in this blog.
The information provided in this blog is brief. Healthcare providers are often willing to provide their patients with more information about these drugs if the drugs are prescribed for treatment.
