Antiepileptic drugs for central post-stroke pain management

Abstract

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are commonly prescribed for a wide range of disorders other than epilepsy, including both neurological and psychiatric disorders. AEDs play also a role in pharmacological management of neuropathic pain. Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a disabling morbidity occurring in 35% of patients with stroke. The pathophysiology of CPSP is not well known but central disinhibition with increased neuronal excitability has been suggested. AEDs include many different drugs acting on pain through several mechanisms, such as reduction of neuronal hyperexcitability. To our knowledge conclusive evidence has not been published yet. The aim of this review is to delineate efficacy and safety of AEDs in CPSP.