Topical vs systemic treatment for the relief of localized neuropathic pain.

Gutiérrez W.N.; Reymer D.; Zapata C.; Camacho G.; Sotelo L.; García J.; Ortiz I. · Medicina Interna de Mexico (2023) · DOI: 10.24245/mim.v39i5.7793

Resumen

According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, neuropathic pain is defined as pain resulting from an injury or disease that affects the somatosensory system, where peripheral and central pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in pain nerve fibers and ion channels. Although the topographic characterization of the lesion is necessary when determining the choice of first-line treatment, the lack of consensus in the definition of localized neuropathic pain and the poor understanding of the term has led to heterogeneities in its description. Treatment of localized neuropathic pain includes systemic and topical therapies; however, because this type of injury is limited to a small area, it is proposed that localized treatments, such as topical ones, could be ideal due to fewer side effects, interactions with other drugs, and satisfactory efficacy in relief of pain. This article discusses pharmacological modalities for the treatment of neuropathic pain and localized neuropathic pain.

Instituciones: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola