Medication for Atypical Facial Pain

The primary treatment for atypical facial pain is the use of medication to lessen or block the pain. You and your doctor can together determine if one medication, or a combination of several, alleviates your symptoms. 

Prescription medications such as antiepileptics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants can quiet the nerve signals that cause facial pain. They provide relief by dulling the response of nerves to stimuli or by altering the way the brain reacts to pain. They may be taken daily, either alone or in combination. You can work with your neurologist to weigh the benefits and possible risks of each medication, arriving at a plan that gives you the best possible pain relief with minimal side effects.

NYU Langone neurologists closely monitor your response to medication and continually assess your progress. They always try to minimize the number of medications used at the same time. Your doctor can help you to find the best medication for you, with the goal of eventually enabling you to live pain free without the assistance of medication.