Pharmaceutical therapy for radiculopathy

Christopher J Visco; David S Cheng; David J Kennedy

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2010.11.003

Pharmaceutical therapy for radiculopathy

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011 Feb;22(1):127-37. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2010.11.003. Epub 2010 Dec 30.

Authors

Christopher J Visco¹, David S Cheng, David J Kennedy

Affiliation

¹ Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. cv2245@columbia.edu

PMID: 21292149
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2010.11.003

Abstract

Pharmaceutical treatments for radiculopathy include opioid, antiinflammatory (steroidal and nonsteroidal), neuromodulating, topical, and adjuvant treatments. These medications act locally, peripherally, or centrally on the neural axis. This article reviews the history of medication use for radiculopathy and the available literature along with the breadth of current treatment and indications.

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use*
Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
Capsaicin / administration & dosage
Capsaicin / therapeutic use
Humans
Lidocaine / administration & dosage
Lidocaine / therapeutic use
Muscle Relaxants, Central / adverse effects
Muscle Relaxants, Central / therapeutic use
Radiculopathy / drug therapy*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
Analgesics, Opioid
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Anticonvulsants
Antidepressive Agents
Muscle Relaxants, Central
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Lidocaine
Capsaicin