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Trigeminal neuralgia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Tic douloureux

Treatment:

Certain medicines can help reduce pain and the rate of attacks. Medicines may include:

• Anti-epilepsy drugs
• Migraine medicines (sumatriptan)
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or carbamazepine

Some patients may require surgery. 

References:

Kanai A, Saito M, Hoka S. Subcutaneous sumatriptan for refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Headache . 2006 Apr;46(4):577-82.

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology . 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003: 178-179.

• Review Date: 4/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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