Membrane Stabilizer Medications in the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain: a Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewNeuropathic pain is often debilitating, severely limiting the daily lives of patients who are affected. Typically, neuropathic pain is difficult to manage and, as a result, leads to progression into a chronic condition that is, in many instances, refractory to medical management.Recent FindingsGabapentinoids, belonging to the calcium channel blocking class of drugs, have shown good efficacy in the management of chronic pain and are thus commonly utilized as first-line therapy. Various sodium channel blocking drugs, belonging to the categories of anticonvulsants and local anesthetics, have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in the in the treatment of neurogenic pain.SummaryThough there is limited medical literature as to efficacy of any one drug, individualized multimodal therapy can provide significant analgesia to patients with chronic neuropathic pain.