Page 8 - Pain MgmtBooklet FINAL 4-17-19
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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
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