Trigeminal neuralgia

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Central nervous system

Tic douloureux

Your primary care physician, a neurologist, or a pain specialist may be involved in your care.

Certain medicines sometimes help reduce pain and the rate of attacks. These medicines include:

• Anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine, phenytoin, valproate, and pregabalin)
• Muscle relaxants (baclofen, clonazepam)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or carbamazepine)

Some patients may need surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve. Techniques include:

• Cutting or destroying part of the trigeminal nerve
• Stereotactic radiosurgery
• Surgery to remove a blood vessel or tumor that is putting pressure on the trigeminal nerve

How well you do depends on the cause of the problem. If there is no underlying disease, some people find that treatment provides at least partial relief.

However, the pain may become constant and severe in some patients.

Review Date: 06/16/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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