Neuropathic Pain Medications & Multiple Sclerosis Drugs: Uses and ADRs

Capsaicin cream: brand name

Zostrix

Zostrix: generic name

Capsaicin cream

Capsaicin cream: drug class

Topical substance P depleter

Capsaicin cream: main use

Peripheral neuropathy pain

Capsaicin cream: top 3 ADRs

Burning/stinging, Redness, Cough if inhaled

Capsaicin cream: Source

Hot peppers

Lidocaine patch: brand name

Lidoderm

Lidoderm: generic name

Lidocaine patch

Lidocaine patch: drug class

Topical anesthetic (Na+ channel blocker)

Lidocaine patch: main use

Peripheral neuropathy pain / PHN

Lidocaine patch: top 3 ADRs

Local rash, Redness, Itching

Lidocaine patch: Max patches per day

4 (12 hours on, 12 off)

Duloxetine: brand name

Cymbalta

Cymbalta: generic name

Duloxetine

Duloxetine: drug class

SNRI

Duloxetine: main use

Diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, depression/GAD

Duloxetine: top 3 ADRs

Nausea, Increased BP, Sexual dysfunction

Duloxetine: Who should avoid it

Liver disease or heavy alcohol use

Amitriptyline: brand name

Elavil

Elavil: generic name

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline: drug class

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)

Amitriptyline: main use

Neuropathic pain and depression

Amitriptyline: top 3 ADRs

Anticholinergic effects, Sedation/weight gain, QT prolongation/arrhythmia

Amitriptyline: Sedation compared with other TCAs

Most sedating

Amitriptyline: Overdose ECG finding

Wide QRS

Nortriptyline: brand name

Pamelor

Pamelor: generic name

Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline: drug class

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)

Nortriptyline: main use

Depression and neuropathic pain

Nortriptyline: top 3 ADRs

Anticholinergic effects, Orthostatic hypotension, QT prolongation/arrhythmia

Nortriptyline: Sedation compared with other TCAs

Least sedating

Interferon beta-1a: brand name

Avonex / Rebif

Avonex: generic name

Interferon beta-1a

Rebif: generic name

Interferon beta-1a

Interferon beta-1a: drug class

Interferon

Interferon beta-1a: main use

Relapsing multiple sclerosis

Interferon beta-1a: top 3 ADRs

Flu-like symptoms, Injection-site reactions, Depression

Interferon beta-1a: Side effect your professor wants you to know

Flu-like symptoms

Interferon beta-1b: brand name

Betaseron / Extavia

Betaseron: generic name

Interferon beta-1b

Extavia: generic name

Interferon beta-1b

Interferon beta-1b: drug class

Interferon

Interferon beta-1b: main use

Relapsing multiple sclerosis

Interferon beta-1b: top 3 ADRs

Flu-like symptoms, Injection-site reactions, Depression

Glatiramer acetate: brand name

Copaxone

Copaxone: generic name

Glatiramer acetate

Glatiramer acetate: drug class

Immunomodulator

Glatiramer acetate: main use

Relapsing multiple sclerosis

Glatiramer acetate: top 3 ADRs

Injection-site reactions, Flushing/chest tightness, Lipoatrophy

Mitoxantrone: brand name

Novantrone

Novantrone: generic name

Mitoxantrone

Mitoxantrone: drug class

Immunosuppressant

Mitoxantrone: main use

Rapidly worsening multiple sclerosis

Mitoxantrone: top 3 ADRs

Cardiotoxicity, Secondary leukemia, Blue-green urine

Natalizumab: brand name

Tysabri

Tysabri: generic name

Natalizumab

Natalizumab: drug class

Monoclonal antibody

Natalizumab: main use

Relapsing multiple sclerosis

Natalizumab: top 3 ADRs

PML (brain infection), Infusion reactions, Infections

Fingolimod: brand name

Gilenya

Gilenya: generic name

Fingolimod

Fingolimod: drug class

Oral immunomodulator

Fingolimod: main use

Multiple sclerosis

Fingolimod: top 3 ADRs

Macular edema, Infections, First-dose bradycardia

Fingolimod: What makes it unique among MS drugs

The only oral (PO) one

Donepezil: brand name

Aricept

Aricept: generic name

Donepezil

Donepezil: drug class

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Donepezil: main use

Alzheimer's disease (all stages)

Donepezil: top 3 ADRs

Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, Bradycardia, Insomnia/vivid dreams

Donepezil: Dosing

Once a day at bedtime

Galantamine: brand name

Razadyne

Razadyne: generic name

Galantamine

Galantamine: drug class

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Galantamine: main use

Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's

Galantamine: top 3 ADRs

Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, Dizziness, Bradycardia

Rivastigmine: brand name

Exelon

Exelon: generic name

Rivastigmine

Rivastigmine: drug class

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Rivastigmine: main use

Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementia

Rivastigmine: top 3 ADRs

Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (worst), Weight loss, Dizziness

Rivastigmine: How to take it

With food

Rivastigmine: Form with less GI upset

Patch

Tacrine: brand name

Cognex

Cognex: generic name

Tacrine

Tacrine: drug class

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Tacrine: main use

Alzheimer's (historical)

Tacrine: top 3 ADRs

Hepatotoxicity, Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, Bradycardia

Tacrine: Market status

Withdrawn from the US market (2013)

Memantine: brand name

Namenda

Namenda: generic name

Memantine

Memantine: drug class

NMDA receptor antagonist

Memantine: main use

Moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's

Memantine: top 3 ADRs

Dizziness/confusion, Headache, Constipation

Memantine: Urine pH that drops its clearance by 80%

Alkaline (pH 8 or higher)

Memantine: Drug to avoid because of urine pH

Sodium bicarbonate

Memantine: Condition needing caution

Seizure history

Carbidopa-levodopa: brand name

Sinemet

Sinemet: generic name

Carbidopa-levodopa

Carbidopa-levodopa: drug class

Dopamine precursor + decarboxylase inhibitor