ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
First line drugs indicated to treat neuropathic pain are few and their use may be limited by the presence of side effects, impairing adherence to treatment. This review aimed at evaluating whether available topic analgesics have clinical efficacy and whether they might be used as alternative or adjuvant to treat neuropathic pain.
CONTENTS:
The topic effect of NSAIDs, tricyclic antidepressants, capsaicin, ketamine, clonidine and local anesthetics to treat neuropathic pain of different etiologies was evaluated.
CONCLUSION:
Few studies in the literature validate the use of topic analgesics to treat neuropathic pain. On the other hand, topic 5% lidocaine may be safely used with good analgesic effect and tolerability. The clinical efficacy of topic analgesics may be associated to the choice of the vehicle, to agent concentration, to pain location and to the specific disease.
Keywords:
Analgesics; Neuropathic pain; Topic; Treatment