Cancer pain can be treated with a number of nerve altering medications. Usually the pain occurs due to the pressure on the nerves. Anticonvulsants help to control the flow of sodium and calcium in the nerve cells of the brain, which eventually manipulates the pain to ease. It should not be treated as an anti-depressant
There are evidences that suggest Anticonvulsants can make the patient suicidal. Therefore, it is strictly ordered that this medication should be consumed under doctor’s care. Patients tend to be worried bout its addiction quality. The truth is that the body adapts to it and tends to react badly if the medication stops entering the system. Addiction is when the patient would be craving the medication.
One of the most common side effects of Anticonvulsants is it tends to make the patient very drowsy. It can also cause itchiness, allergies and fever. It tends to make the body weak for a short period of time. Nausea is also listed under side effects for this medication. Anticonvulsants can also cause a temporary blurriness in the vision.
It is prescribed at a very low dose and is increased gradually to suit with the cancer pain. Carbamazepine is considered to be a close substitute but it tends to lower the while blood cell count, thus it is almost never prescribed. |