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Antiepileptic medications and antidepressants for neuropathic pain: a meta-analysis
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  • Jun Li,
  • Chunxiang Zhu,
  • Yun Yang,
  • Xiaomin Li
Jun Li
Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Chunxiang Zhu
Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital
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Yun Yang
Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital
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Xiaomin Li
Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital
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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Methods: Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and other databases were searched using RevMan 5.3 software for data analysis to collect randomized controlled studies comparing antiepileptics and antidepressants for neuropathic pain. Results: This study enrolled a total of 1073 participants in 16 randomized controlled trials. Antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants ought to improve neuropathic pain patients’ treatment scores [OR=1.10, 95% CI(0.64 to 1.89), P =0.74], pain relief rate [OR=1.10, 95% CI(0.64 to 1.89), P =0.74], and incidence of adverse reactions [OR=0.94, 95% CI(0.48 to 1.85), P =0.87] without showing a statistically significant difference; The results of the single-agent study revealed that only pregabalin, as opposed to venlafaxine, had a significant effect on pain scores; the subgroup analysis revealed that publication bias had no effect on the study’s findings. The heterogeneity may stem primarily from different follow-up durations and drug types. Conclusion: There is no clear distinction between adverse effects and effectiveness.