Pharmacology of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a debilitating craniofacial pain disorder that affects 13 out of a 100000 people annually. This review evaluates pharmacological and therapeutic treatments, with a focus on Carbamazapines, Oxacarbazepin as first line treatments, and adjuvants like Gabapentin, Baclofen and botulinum toxin for added relief. Surgical options including Gamma knife and Microvascular Decompression. Trigeminal neuralgia has a great impact of quality of life and is often associated wit psychiatric comorbidites. Optimal treatment requires a multi-modal approach combining medical, surgical and psychiatric disciplines.