Table 3.
Number needed to treat neuropathic pain.
| DRUGS | NNT 50% Decrease in Pain Intensity |
Pathologies Where They Are Most Used |
|---|---|---|
| Carbamazepine | 1.7 | Trigeminal neuralgia |
| Phenytoin | 2.1 | Refractory NP |
| Clonazepam | 4 | Refractory NP |
| Topiramate | 5.29 | Headaches |
| Levetiracetam | 4–10 | Refractory NP |
| Gabapentin | 6 8 |
Diabetic neuropathy Post herpetic neuralgia and others NP |
| Pregabaline | 3.8–6.9 8.2 5.9 11.1 |
Diabetic neuropathy Post herpetic neuralgia and others NP |
| Lamotrigine | 8.3 | Central NP |
| Other drugs used to treat NP | ||
| Baclofen | 1.4 (2–2.5) | Atypical trigeminal neuralgia Refractory NP |
| Ketamine | 3–5 >10 |
Refractory NP Depression |
| Lidocaine | 4–10 | Topical application Post herpetic neuralgia. HIV neuropathy Cancer-related neuropathy Refractory NP |
| Clonidine | 4–10 | Diabetic neuropathy Post herpetic neuralgia. HIV neuropathy Cancer-related neuropathy Refractory NP |
| Capsaicin | 8.8 (10–12) | Topical application Peripheral neuropathic pain Post herpetic neuralgia. HIV neuropathy Refractory NP |
| Cannabis | NNTB (30–50) 20–25 | Low quality studies |
| Opioids | ||
| Tramadol and Tapentadol | 4.4 | NP |
| Metadona | 0 | Very limited data for NP |
NNT: Number of patients needed to treat a patient reporting a 50% decrease in pain intensity. NNTB: Number needed to treat an additional beneficial outcome (30% pain relief). NP: neuropathic pain in different pathologies.