Plasma exchange for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Abstract Background Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an uncommon progressive or relapsing paralysing disease caused by inflammation of the peripheral nerves. If the hypothesis that it is due to autoimmunity is correct, removal of autoantibodies in the blood by plasma exchange should be beneficial. Objectives To assess the effects of plasma exchange for treating […]
Venlafaxine for neuropathic pain in adults
Abstract Background Neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage, is increasing in prevalence worldwide. This may reflect improved diagnosis, or it may be due to increased incidence of diabetes‐associated neuropathy, linked to increasing levels of obesity. Other types of neuropathic pain include post‐herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and neuralgia caused by chemotherapy. Antidepressant drugs are […]
Milnacipran for neuropathic pain in adults
Abstract Background Milnacipran is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that is sometimes used to treat chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. This is an update of an earlier review of milnacipran for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults originally published inThe Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2012. We split that review so that this one looked only […]
Milnacipran for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults
Abstract Background This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in Issue 3, 2012. That review considered both fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain, but the efficacy of milnacipran for neuropathic pain is now dealt with in a separate review. Milnacipran is a serotonin‐norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that is licensed for the treatment […]
Pharmacological treatment for pain in Guillain-Barré syndrome
Abstract Background Pain in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is common, yet it is often under recognised and poorly managed. In recent years, a variety of pharmacological treatment options have been investigated in clinical trials for people with GBS-associated pain. This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published in Issue 10, 2013. Objectives To […]
Treatment for IgG and IgA paraproteinaemic neuropathy
Abstract Background Paraproteinaemic neuropathy refers to those neuropathies associated with a monoclonal gammopathy or paraprotein. The most common of these present with a chronic, predominantly sensory, symmetrical neuropathy, similar to chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) but with relatively more sensory involvement, both clinically and neurophysiologically. The optimal treatment for neuropathies associated with IgG and IgA […]
Immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory treatments for multifocal motor neuropathy
Abstract Background Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is characterised by progressive, predominantly distal, asymmetrical limb weakness and usually multiple partial motor nerve conduction blocks. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is beneficial but the role of immunosuppressive agents is uncertain. This is an update of a review first published in 2002 and previously updated in 2003, 2005, 2008 and […]
Zonisamide for neuropathic pain in adults
Abstract Background Antiepileptic drugs have been used in pain management since the 1960s; some have shown efficacy in treating different neuropathic pain conditions. The efficacy of zonisamide for the relief of neuropathic pain has not previously been reviewed. Objectives To assess the analgesic efficacy and associated adverse events of zonisamide for chronic neuropathic pain in […]
Nortriptyline for neuropathic pain in adults
Abstract Background Antidepressants are widely used to treat chronic neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage), usually in doses below those at which they exert antidepressant effects. An earlier review that included all antidepressants for neuropathic pain is being replaced by new reviews of individual drugs examining individual neuropathic pain conditions. Nortriptyline is a tricyclic […]
Treatment for cryoglobulinemic and non-cryoglobulinemic peripheral neuropathy associated with hepatitis C virus infection
Abstract Background Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurologic complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The pathophysiology of the neuropathy associated with HCV is not definitively known; however, proposed mechanisms include cryoglobulin deposition in the vasa nervorum and HCV-mediated vasculitis. The optimal treatment for HCV-related peripheral neuropathy has not been established. Objectives To assess the […]