Stahl, Steven M. M.D., PhD. (2004) “Anticonvulsants and the Relief of Chronic Pain”
BRAINSTORMS/Journal of clinical psychiatry, May, 65:5

Mitchell Marsh Pharm.D. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
Snell, Joel C. MA.MIBA, Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Continuous activation of neurotransmitters (pain stimuli) may underlie painful symptoms in a number of pathologies of chronic pain syndromes.

The anticonvulsant PREGABALIN and GABAPENTIN target calcium channels and reduces pain pathways and the activation of the pathways (neurotransmission) by reducing the release of numerous pain transmitters.

Decreasing the pain transmitters could hypothetically reduce painful symptoms in a wide variety of chronic pain.

The author does not over promise here. One can recall that Valium (Diazepam) would be the wonder drug for anxiety without side effects and withdrawal. Prozac promised to wipe out depression. It didn’t happen. Prozac is a wonderful medication but does not live up to the hype produced by the media.

There are new promises of OXYCOTIN without the high so that street value is reduced, but side effects and withdrawal still appear to be a problem.

However, hype aside, the two anticonvulsants may have promise. If they do what they may possibly perform, they could be a significant advance in pain management.

They could also be added to other medical modalities that use meditation, relaxants, stretching strategies, diet, and exercise.