With patients bringing up issues related to pain in their bodies, one type of pain is growing rapidly among patients, and doctors are providing medications for it extensively. Medication for nerve pain has been prescribed largely for patients dealing with nerve pain, which is also known as Neuropathy. Neuropathic or nerve pain can be there for many reasons; sometimes, the reasons are unknown, but most importantly, nerve pain can be anywhere in our body. Doctors can advise on and prescribe the best medications for nerve pain, depending on its location and intensity. One can also have some of these medications without a prescription, too. Let us learn about these medications and understand how they treat our nerve pain.
Understanding Best Medications for Nerve Pain & Their Functions
What is Nerve Pain?
Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is the pain that occurs in nerves due to damage, injury, or stress on the nerve. When the pain is due to pressure caused by either workload, repetitive movement, being overweight, or an injury, the nerve pain can be cured by various over-the-counter medications or prescribed medications. But a pain caused by a damaged nerve means it’s a serious issue in either the central nervous system (CNS) or the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which needs medical assistance immediately. A patient suffering from nerve pain can feel it in many ways, like burning, numbness, tingling, prickling, etc.
Types of Nerve Pain Medications
Two types of nerve pain medications can be found on the market: prescribed medications and over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter medications are generally cost-effective and readily available for patients, and healthcare providers can give them for minor nerve pains. They can include topical medications of Capsaicin, Lidocaine, Cannabidols (CBD), and natural compounds like Menthol. These medications are not strong enough to cure moderate-to-severe nerve pain, and are rather used as alternatives when better drugs do not work, or the body does not accept the effects of strong medicines.
Prescribed Drugs for Nerve Pain
There is a long list of prescription medicines that help one deal with nerve pain. Healthcare officials provide these prescribed drugs so that patients can fight nerve pain at its root. Unlike other pains, nerve pain does not have a single prescribed drug or like two or few medicines that cure it. Let’s take a look at these different medications that are used to treat different types of nerve pain.
- Gabapentin is a strong anticonvulsant painkiller that can treat nerve pain very well. By stopping overreactive cells in our nerves it reduces pain in targeted areas.
- Pregabalin is another anticonvulsant that treats diabetic neuropathic pain and also helps in many cases of spinal injuries.
- Amitriptyline treats chronic nerve pain effectively by releasing serotonin into the brain, stopping the pain signals that alert the brain about any discomfort.
- Duloxetine helps in treating other pain disorders like Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis, and works just like Amitriptyline.
- Carbazepine treats nerve pain, especially Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is a serious facial nerve pain.
Supplements for Nerve Pain
There are many supplements that patients can use to treat minor nerve pain that do not need extensive medication. They are:
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D and B Vitamins, like B1, B6, and B12.
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine
- Curcumin (found mostly in turmeric)
- Omega-3 fatty acids
We have to keep in mind that these supplements are just temporary pain relievers and not pain killers, so patients should not depend on them if they are seeking complete relief from pain.
Benefits and Risks of Nerve Pain Medications
Medications for nerve pain have real benefits that bring many positive changes in one’s life. Whether it be good mental health or good sleep, one feels much better when their nerve pain is relieved. But at the same time, if these medications are consumed without caution, they can lead to serious risks that can deteriorate one’s nerve pain. OTC or prescribed medications both are bound to have some common side effects. Let us understand these properly.
Benefits of Nerve Pain Medications
- Improved Quality of Life
- Effective Relief from Pain
- Proper functioning of the Body
- No more Sleeping Issues and Depression
- Good Mood and Mental Health
- Targeted Relief from Pain in different areas of the Body
Risks of Nerve Pain Medications
Mild Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred Vision
- Weight Gain
Serious Risks
- Harsh Withdrawal Symptoms
- Risks related to Opioids (Sedation)
- Deteriorated Mental Health
- Nerve and Organ Failure
- Interactions with Other Drugs
Conclusion
Nerve Pain is a chronic, extremely painful disorder, and every patient deserves the best medication to be free of such complications. Over-the-counter medications like Lidocaine, Capsaicin, Cannabidols are easily available in the market and will partially help in nerve pain, but prescribed medicines like gabapentin, tramadol, and carbamazepine bring long-lasting relief. Supplements like B and D Vitamins can also help with nerve pain. Yet taking all of these with correct guidance from a healthcare professional will only help you cure your nerve pain effectively.