Page 8 - Pain MgmtBooklet FINAL 4-17-19
P. 8
Sore Nerve
Nurse Linda says…“sometimes combinations of drugs work
better than a single medication. All medications can have side
effects that should be discussed with your doctor. Medica-
tion effectiveness can change over time and may need to be
adjusted. Do not discontinue using pain medication without
speaking with your doctor.”
TREATING PAIN: MEDICATIONS
Anticonvulsants: Developed to treat seizure disorders, these
drugs are sometimes prescribed for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin
(Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) were shown to reduce neuro-
pathic pain associated with SCI from baseline compared to placebo.
However, at the high doses often needed to treat neuropathic pain,
gabapentin and pregabalin may take away the tone needed to stand
or walk. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is used to treat a number of
painful conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia.
Antidepressants/Anxiolytics: Selective serotonin norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and
4 PAIN MANAGEMENT
