Evidence-Based Neurology
CATEGORY: Pain

In chronic pain, methadone might be as effective and safe as opioid analgesics. But the evidence is weak.
Date appraised: November 2003
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Carbamazepine was effective in the short-term management of trigeminal neuralgia (NNT 2.6 vs. placebo). No drugs have demonstrated superiority in monotherapy. Surgery has not been adequately evaluated
Date appraised: April 2003
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All triptans were effective and well tolerated in the treatment of acute migraine. Compared with 100 mg sumatriptan, 12.5 mg rizatriptan and 80 mg eletriptan were slightly more efficacious, and 12.5 mg almotriptan was similarly efficacious but better tolerated.
Date appraised: April 2003
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Guidelines recommended amitriptyline, divalproex sodium, propranolol/timolol, fluoxetine (racemic) and gabapentin as 1st line drugs for migraine prophylaxis
Date appraised: August 2002
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Antidepressant prophylaxis was efficacious for chronic migraine and tension headaches.
Date appraised: April 2002
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High dose eletriptan (80mg) was more effective than oral sumatriptan (100mg) in alleviating acute migraine pain and associated symptoms.
Date appraised: January 2001
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Gabapentin is useful in reducing postherpetic neuralgia.
Date appraised: January 1999
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Gabapentin is useful in reducing diabetic neuropathic pain
Date appraised: January 1999
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Neuropathic pain responds better to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) than to SSRIs or placebo.
Date appraised: November 1998
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