Prescription pattern of oral healthcare professionals in the use of anticonvulsants for trigeminal neuralgia.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current prescription pattern of oral healthcare professionals in the management of patients with trigeminal neuralgia at a local hospital.

Study design: Data relating to a consecutive series of patients (n = 49) with typical trigeminal neuralgia was collected over a period of 6 months.

Results: Over half the subjects (70%) were using carbamazepine as the only form of medical therapy. Gabapentin was used in 20% of the subjects. A combination therapy or Topiramate was used in few of the patients in the study group (7.5%).

Conclusion: Carbamazepine is still the main drug of choice in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. New anti-epileptic drugs have broadened the therapeutic options in those who cannot tolerate conventional carbamazepine therapy or surgical treatment.