Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: use of baclofen in combination with carbamazepine

Abstract

A patient with trigeminal neuralgia who became refractory to carbamazepine but responded well to the addition of baclofen to his regimen is described, and the drug and surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia are discussed. A 57-year-old white man sought medical help following a six-week history of paroxysmal pain in the right jaw. Rubbing the skin in the right third division of the trigeminal nerve produced a paroxysm of pain. Trigeminal neuralgia was diagnosed, and carbamazepine therapy was initiated with good results. Pain recurred upon discontinuation of the therapy, and carbamazepine was restarted. However, debilitating pain persisted despite continuous treatment that produced moderate postdose ataxia. Baclofen was added to the patient's regimen and increased to 60 mg daily with subsequent reductions in the carbamazepine dosages. The patient remained pain-free during the following 10 months. Carbamazepine is considered the drug of choice and is initially very effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia. However, many patients are forced to discontinue drug therapy because of intolerance or ineffectiveness and are faced with surgery as their only option. Baclofen does not appear to be as effective as carbamazepine when used as a single agent. However, its apparent synergism with carbamazepine and phenytoin combined with its low incidence of serious side effects make baclofen a valuable adjunct in the treatment of refractory trigeminal neuralgia.