Read up on Trigeminal neuralgia treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Key points about treatments

There are lots of different treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. But unfortunately there's not a lot of research to show which treatments work best. You'll probably be offered medication first. If that doesn't work, you may need surgery.

A drug called carbamazepine gives good relief from pain, but causes side effects. Many people find the drug no longer stops their pain after a few years.
We can't say for sure whether any of the other drugs prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia work. There hasn't been enough good-quality research. But doctors think another drug called oxcarbazepine is likely to work.
An operation called microvascular decompression is likely to work. There are no high-quality studies, but it is widely used. Some studies show it helps relieve pain.
We can't say for sure whether any of the other operations used for trigeminal neuralgia work. There hasn't been enough good-quality research.
There are some things you can do yourself that might help. For more information, see What can I do to help myself?

This information was last updated on Apr 09, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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