Oxcarbazepine: Drug of the future in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to estimate the efficacy of oxcarbazepine in trigeminal neuralgia. Oxcarbazepine is a novel antiepilepfic drug, and its effect on trigeminal neuralgia has not been studied extensively previously. Materials and methods: Fifty-three patients with trigeminal neuralgia (34 men and 19 women) took a mean dose of 600 mg of oxcarbazepine for a period of three weeks. Pain intensity was measured by using visual analog scale. Results: Of the 53 patients, 42 (79%) were completely or well controlled by OXC, and nine (17%) partially but acceptably controlled. Treatment with OXC was therefore satisfactory initially in 51 (96%) of the patients. In seven of these patients, mild transient side effects occurred but did not necessitate cessation of treatment Conclusion: OXC appears to be an effective substitute for carbamazepine in those patients intolerant of this agent, or experiencing significant side effects.

Keywords

• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Oxcarbazepine
• Carbamazepine