Medication Management of Neuropathic Pain Disorders

Abstract

It is important for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to be familiar with the various neuropathic facial pain disorders and their appropriate treatments. Neuropathic pain can be characterized by the nature of the pain experienced by patients; episodic or continuous. Episodic neuropathic pain disorders include trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Continuous neuropathic pain disorders compromise of disorders such as idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, central post-stroke pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. Various forms of pharmacologic management exist for these neuropathic pain disorders.

Keywords: Neuropathic pain disorders; Orofacial pain; Postherpetic neuralgia; Trigeminal neuralgia.