Neuropathic pain (NeP) syndromes remain a difficult-to-treat medical entity. Despite a growing number of pharmacological and invasive
analgesic therapies the results remain less than optimal because of insufficient
analgesic efficacy and/or occurrence of pronounced side effects. Current guidelines propose the use of multimodal and balanced pharmacological
therapies, focused on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms (mechanistic approach).
Lidocaine 5% patches are a new treatment option currently licensed for the treatment of
postherpetic neuralgia. However, these patches can also be used for the treatment of different types of superficial NeP syndromes, such as
diabetic polyneuropathy. Their therapeutic success, however, largely depends on the correct identification of appropriate patients and
pain syndromes. This manuscript outlines the correct identification of patients and proper use of these patches in order to ensure as much as possible the therapeutic efficacy of this new treatment option.