Abstract

LOPEZ-CORREA, T. et al. Lamotrigine in neuropathic pain: a review. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2006, vol.13, n.6, pp.410-420. ISSN 1134-8046.

Neuropathic pain, a form of chronic pain caused by injury to or disease of the peripheral or central nervous system, is a formidable therapeutic challenge to clinicians because it does not respond well to traditional pain therapies. Significant improvement of neuropathic pain has been achieved with studies that have demonstrated efficacy of newer anticonvulsants in relieving this type of pain, by having a neuromodulatory effect on the hyperexcitable damaged nervous system. In recent years, several new-generation antiepileptic drugs have been introduced in clinical practice. Lamotrigine is a new antiepileptic drug that stabilizes neural membranes by blocking the activation of voltage-sensitive sodium channels and inhibiting the presynaptic release of glutamate. Full length reports have demonstrated the efficacy of lamotrigine in the treatment of various forms of neuropathic pain. The present drug profile provides a review of the pharmacologic properties of lamotrigine, the clinical evidence related to its efficacy and safety, in the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Keywords : Neuropathic pain; lamotrigine; anticonvulsivants.

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