• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Cranial mononeuropathy IX

Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at controlling pain. Unfortunately, over-the-counter pain killers such as aspirin and acetaminophen are not very effective for the relief of neuralgia. The most effective drugs are actually anti-seizure medications, like carbamazepine, gabapentin, and phenytoin. Some anti-depressants like amitriptyline are sometimes tried with variable degrees of success.

In severe cases, when pain is difficult to treat, surgery aiming at decompressing the glossopharyngeal nerve may be required. This surgery is generally considered effective. If a cause of the neuralgia is identified, the treatment of choice is the control of the underlying problem.

Expectations (prognosis):

Prognosis depends on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of initial treatment. Surgery is considered effective for cases that do not benefit from medications.

Complications:

Decreased pulse and fainting may occur when pain is severe. Side-effects of medications may complicate treatment.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. See a pain specialist if pain is severe to be sure that all options for controlling pain are available to you.

• Review Date: 9/25/2006
• Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.