What is the Best Medication For Nerve Pain?

What is the Best Medication For Nerve Pain?

Finding a medication to relieve nerve pain requires trial and error; most doctors start with a low dose and increase it gradually over time to get relief.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be taken orally to relieve pain. They may also be applied topically as lotions, ointments or patches. Some NSAIDs like rofecoxib (Videxa) have been known to effectively treat neuropathic pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia.

Opioids such as oxycodone (Oxecta, OxyContin), morphine (brand names MS Contin and Kadian), and tramadol (Ultra, Conzip) are often prescribed to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, phantom limb pain and cancer-related neuropathic pain.

Anticonvulsants and antidepressants are two commonly prescribed medications that may help alleviate nerve pain. While some of these drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating pain, others are prescribed off-label.

When it comes to nerve pain, the best medication depends on the underlying cause and symptoms. Our goal is to find a combination of treatments that helps control discomfort, enhance function, and minimize side effects.

Neurodegenerative medications approved to treat nerve pain include gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise), pregabalin (Lyrica), and carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol). These drugs work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain and spinal cord.