Anticonvulsants for cancer pain

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
carbamazepine	Tegretol
gabapentin	Neurontin
levetiracetam	Keppra
oxcarbazepine	Trileptal
phenytoin	Dilantin
topiramate	Topamax
zonisamide	Zonegran

How It Works

Anticonvulsants control cancer pain by changing the way sodium and calcium travel across the surface of nerve cells in the brain. The nerve cells send fewer signals, and the brain senses a decrease in pain.

Why It Is Used

Anticonvulsants help reduce pain related to the nervous system (neuropathic pain). Some have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants.

How Well It Works

Anticonvulsants help control cancer pain related to the nervous system (neuropathic pain).¹

Side Effects

When anticonvulsants are used to control cancer pain, they may be given in small amounts to limit side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects, especially:

• Drowsiness.
• Restlessness and irritability.
• Confusion and dizziness.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and belly pain.
• Blurred vision or uncontrollable eye movements (nystagmus).
• Itching, fever, or a rash (sensitivity reaction).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Drowsiness is the most common side effect of anticonvulsant drugs.

These drugs are started at low doses and gradually increased to achieve pain relief.

Carbamazepine can cause a decrease in the white blood cell count, or leukopenia. For this reason it is not generally used to treat cancer pain.¹

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Cynthia Tank	Last Updated November 4, 2005
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
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