The curious case of Neuropathic Pain and its management: An overview

Abstract

Abstract Neuropathic pain is a condition that occurs as a result of neural system damage or lesions. It could be peripheral or central neuropathic pain, depending on the location of the damage. Diabetes, spinal cord injury, numerous infections, cancer, and autoimmune illnesses are all potential causes of this condition. According to estimates, chronic pain has a prevalence rate of roughly 3% -17% worldwide. In most cases, neuropathic pain is stated to be “idiopathic” in origin, which means that its specific etiology is unknown; hence, pharmaceutical care of this condition is limited to treating its symptoms. The medications used to treat neuropathic pain fall into three categories: tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentinoids, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Anticonvulsants, opioids, and topical medications are examples of different types of medications. Strong opioids, neurotoxins, and surgical alternatives are also used in treatment. In general, pharmacotherapy is frequently accompanied with accompanied with high doses, which results in a number of side effects. These medications are typically delivered orally, and drug absorption in systemic circulation leads to dispersion throughout the body, resulting in high peripheral circulation and concomitant side effects. Enzymatic degradation reduces bioavailability, while hepatic metabolism converts medicines to inactive metabolites. In such circumstances, an adequate amount of drug is unable to reach the brain due to the blood brain barrier, which hinders drug molecule permeability.