Neuropathic pain is generated by disruption of normal nerve connections and/or abnormal hyperactivity at some level of the pain sensory system. Neuropathic pain syndromes due to peripheral nervous system injury are commonly encountered in clinical practice and often adversely affect patients’ quality of life. Pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of neuropathic pain management, with the majority of clinical data supporting the use of three main drug classes: (1) tricyclic antidepressants; (2) anticonvulsants; and (3) anesthetic-antiarrhythmics. Clonidine, opioids, capsaicin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and the novel antidepressants may also have a role in some patient populations.
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