Abstract |
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients may develop side effects from centrally acting drugs, have contraindications for neurosurgical procedures, or experience relapse during conventional therapies. OnabotulinumtoxinA ( BoNT/A) has been reported to be effective for TN, although this finding has been challenged. An overview of the available evidence based on a narrative/qualitative analysis of the literature is presented. About 90% of patients who receive BoNT/A show an improvement, a higher figure than that reported for the placebo effect of BoNT/A for other headaches. Tolerability of BoNT/A is good, and its few side-effects are transient. The articles reviewed were mainly case reports, case series and open-label trials; however, randomized controlled trials have endorsed the efficacy of BoNT/A for TN. This evidence, together with a better understanding of the analgesic mechanisms of BoNT/A and its proven efficacy in treating other pain syndromes, supports the use of this toxin as a therapeutic option for TN.
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Authors | Pedro A Kowacs, Marco A T Utiumi, Fábio A Nascimento, Elcio J Piovesan, Helio A G Teive |
Journal | Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
(Arq Neuropsiquiatr)
Vol. 73
Issue 10
Pg. 877-84
(Oct 2015)
ISSN: 1678-4227 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 26291995
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
- Botulinum Toxins, Type A
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Topics |
- Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Animals
- Botulinum Toxins, Type A
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Placebo Effect
- Trigeminal Nerve
(drug effects)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Visual Analog Scale
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