Treatment of Parkinson's Disease with Neuropathic Pain (Not Nociceptive Pain)
Pain is a common and under-recognised non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease. When that pain is neuropathic in character — rather than nociceptive — it calls for a targeted approach that differs from general pain management in Parkinson's disease.
Clinical scenario
This protocol applies to patients with Parkinson's disease who present with neuropathic pain. The neuropathic nature of the pain is a key distinction: management here does not follow the same pathway as nociceptive pain in Parkinson's disease.
Treatment approach (partial)
The foundation of pain management in this context begins with optimising the underlying Parkinson's disease medication. Beyond that, the approach involves specific classes of adjuvant agents — including agents used in neuropathic pain guidelines generally — with certain agents preferred when particular comorbidities are present.
Full regimen, agent selection, and sequencing available via the structured protocol →
References
DOI: 10.1186/s42466-024-00325-4
- The basis of pain therapy in PD is optimizing the PD medication.
- Neuropathic pain should be treated with anticonvulsants and/or antidepressants following the guideline for neuropathic pain treatment, with a preference for Gabapentin and/or Duloxetine (especially in comorbidity with depression).
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