Key takeaways
- Strong medications for nerve pain include anticonvulsants, topical treatments, and opioids. The best medication for you depends on factors such as the location and severity of your pain.
- Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are among the most effective drugs for nerve pain, though they may cause side effects such as lethargy, blurred vision, and weight gain.
- Doctors may prescribe multiple treatments together to provide better pain management. This helps keep doses of each low to reduce the risk of side effects.
Overview
If you experience nerve pain, neuropathy, or neuropathic pain, several medications may be used to help ease your discomfort. Prescription medications are generally stronger than over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications and natural remedies.
Doctors can recommend various drugs based on your individual situation and, in some cases, may prescribe a combination of them to treat your nerve pain.
The medications doctors typically recommend include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and prescription pain relievers, such as mild opioids. It’s important to know that opioids can be habit-forming, so they should only be used as a short-term treatment option.
Doctors can advise the most appropriate medication to treat nerve pain depending on the location and severity of your discomfort.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.
Anticonvulsants for nerve pain
Anticonvulsants are medications that doctors typically prescribe to manage seizure disorders, including epilepsy. These medications work in several ways. They change how ion channels within your cells work, which affects how ions go in and out of the cells.
Anticonvulsants, particularly some called gabapentinoids, are among the most effective and commonly recommended medications for treating nerve pain. Examples include pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin).
These medications are typically very effective in treating nerve pain, but they may cause side effects, such as:
- lethargy
- blurred vision
- vertigo
- weight gain
- swelling in the legs
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardAntidepressants for nerve pain
One antidepressant is approved to help treat nerve pain — duloxetine (Cymbalta). Others may be used off-label for this purpose. Antidepressants may reduce nerve pain by disrupting the pain signals sent to the brain.
The most effective antidepressant medications for neuropathy include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and doxepin.
However, antidepressants can cause side effects. These may vary depending on the medication you take.
SNRI side effects may include:
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- constipation
- dizziness
- agitation and anxiousness
- fatigue
- headache
Side effects of TCAs may include:
- constipation
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- difficulty passing urine
- drowsiness
- weight gain
- excessive sweating, especially at night
- heart palpitations
- increased heartbeat (tachycardia)
- irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Not every antidepressant works the same way and has the same effects. While certain medications may quickly ease your nerve pain, others may be less effective.
Topical medications
Topical medications, such as ointments, patches, and creams, are medications that you apply to your skin. They contain active ingredients that are absorbed through your skin and into your body to help manage nerve pain. Substances such as lidocaine and capsaicin can provide pain relief by numbing the parts of your body where they are applied.
Another example includes the topical capsaicin patch, Qutenza.
Lidocaine and capsaicin may cause side effects, including:
- skin rash
- itching
- erythema (skin discoloration)
Strong pain relievers for nerve pain
Opioid medications are some of the strongest pain medications for neuropathy. They’re generally stronger than OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, because of how strong they are, opioids are not typically prescribed as a first-line treatment for pain management.
Due to the risks of misuse and addiction, doctors typically only prescribe an opioid if other treatments aren’t possible or effective.
Pain relief medications for nerve pain may include drugs such as:
These medications may cause side effects, including:
- lethargy
- constipation
- nausea or vomiting
- seizures
- dizziness
- breathing difficulties
If your doctor prescribes an opioid for your nerve pain, it’s important to take it exactly as prescribed. These are unlikely to be used as long-term treatments.
How to choose the right medication for you
A doctor can advise you about the potential side effects and benefits of the treatment options for neuropathy that are suitable for your individual needs.
They can address any concerns about the treatment options and recommend the most appropriate nerve pain treatment depending on your symptoms and health conditions.
Cost can also be a primary consideration when taking a medication. Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates on prescription medication for nerve pain when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.
What are the risk factors for nerve pain?
One of the most common causes of nerve pain is peripheral neuropathy. This is nerve damage that can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in parts of the body. Without treatment, it can lead to severe complications.
Certain conditions can increase your risk of nerve damage and nerve pain, including:
If you have questions about your risk of developing nerve pain, talk with your doctor. They can discuss your specific risk factors for neuropathy and suggest ways to help manage them.
Summary
Several treatment options are available to help manage nerve pain. The first-line treatment options for neuropathy typically include anticonvulsants and antidepressants. Topical treatments may also be effective in easing your symptoms.
Doctors may prescribe multiple treatments at the same time to provide you with a better pain management plan. At low doses, this may help reduce the risk of side effects.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.