What is Neuropathic Pain?
Nerve pain and commonly used medicines
Neuropathic pain is caused by injury to the sensory nerves.
As a result, the sensory nervous system sends abnormal pain signals to the brain.
What are the symptoms of neuropathic pain?
The nerve damage may result in sensory symptoms like –
- Burning or cold sensation in the affected area
- Sudden episodes of sharp, shooting pain
- Pins-and-needles sensation
- Numbness or reduced sensation
- Extreme pain may be caused by normal stimuli
Muscle and physical symptoms:
Damage to the motor nerves may impair muscle functions.
It may lead to –
- Difficulty in walking
- Loss of balance or coordination
Autonomic symptoms:
Autonomic nerve damage may lead to:
- Dizziness
- Fainting upon standing
- Changes in bowel habits
- Abnormal sweating
What are the causes of neuropathic pain?
It is caused by injury or an illness that affects nerve signaling.
Primary causes include:
Diabetes –
High glucose levels in the blood cause oxidative stress and metabolic changes.
This damages blood vessels and the nerves.
Infections –
Certain viral infections may injure the nerve fibers, altering their function.
Physical injury –
It is damage caused to the nerves due to an accident or physical trauma.
Nerve compression –
It is a condition in which nerves may feel compression due to external pressure.
Common examples of nerve compression include –
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Herniated Disc
CNS disorders –
Certain brain or spinal cord disorders may alter pain signaling pathways.
Medication –
Certain medications may cause neurotoxic side effects, affecting nerves.
Vitamin deficiencies –
Lack of certain vitamins like B12 or vitamin B1 may affect nerve health.
Vitamin B12 is utilized by the nerve fibers to form the myelin sheath.
Chronic alcohol use –
Alcohol may cause neurotoxicity and may also impair gut absorption.
It may cause deficiency of nutrients that support nerve health.
Autoimmune disorders –
Certain autoimmune disorders trigger the immune system to attack its own body, including the nerves.
Idiopathic neuropathy –
It is a condition in which the exact cause of the nerve pain is not identifiable.
General Pain versus Nerve Pain
Generally, pain may be caused by an injury or trauma to the body tissues.
It may or may not be managed by NSAIDs or OTC painkillers.
Neuropathic pain is caused by irritation or damage to the nervous system.
It requires specific medicines that reduce abnormal nerve activity.
Medicines used for neuropathic pain –
The treatment approach for neuropathic pain focuses on calming down the overactive nerves.
The choice of medicine must be evaluated by the medical practitioner only.
The medicines include:
Anticonvulsant drugs – These are commonly used drugs for neuropathic pain.
These reduce abnormal nerve signaling.
- Gabapentin
- Pregabalin
Antidepressants – These medicines downregulate the pain signals in the brain.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Sodium channel blockers (anticonvulsants) –
These medicines may help with neuropathy by reducing abnormal electrical conductivity of the nerve.
- Carbamazepine
- Oxcarbazepine
Topical medicine-
Capsaicin and anesthetics like lidocaine can be applied topically to the affected area for a localized effect.
Opioid analgesics-
Tramadol – It can be used for short-term relief if prescribed by the doctor.
At Aprazer Healthcare, we manufacture a wide range of pharmaceuticals in different therapeutic segments.
Focused on developing life–saving drugs, we aim to manufacture drugs for comprehensive treatments, including supportive care and managing chronic conditions.
Our flagship products used in neuropathic pain include:
- Pregakast M – Pregabalin and methylcobalamin
- Gabakast – Gabapentin
Our portfolio spans anticonvulsant drugs, neurology combinations, and antidepressants.