Treatment
Treatment usually begins with medication. If medication fails, other options are available.
Medications
Medications may include:
- Carbamazepine
- Other antiseizure medications (eg, phenytoin , gabapentin , lamotrigine , oxcarbazepine , pregabalin , topiramate )
- Low-dose antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline , clomipramine )
- Muscle relaxer (eg, baclofen )
- Other medications, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) injection, lidocaine nasal spray *¹
Surgery
Surgical options include:
- Surgery to remove an artery or tumor that is pressing on the nerve
- Surgery to cut the trigeminal nerve
Surgery can be highly effective in some cases. The most common procedure is microvascular decompression.
Other Treatments
Other options to deaden the trigeminal nerve include:
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (also known as Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, LINAC, and other names)
- Injections of alcohol or glycerin to deaden the nerve
- High-frequency radio waves to deaden the nerve
These procedures may be somewhat less effective than microvascular surgical decompression. But, they are widely used, especially in older patients.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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