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Pain and Therapy
Published in: Pain and Therapy 1/2020

Open Access 01-06-2020 | Neuropathic Pain | Review

Statins and Neuropathic Pain: A Narrative Review

Authors: Joseph V. Pergolizzi Jr., Peter Magnusson, Jo Ann LeQuang, Robin Razmi, Gianpietro Zampogna, Robert Taylor Jr.

Published in: Pain and Therapy | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

The frequently prescribed drug class of statins have pleiotropic effects and have been implicated in neuropathic pain syndromes. This narrative review examines studies of statin-induced neuropathic pain which to date have been conducted only in animal models. However, the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy in humans may shed some light on the etiology of neuropathic pain. Statins have exhibited a paradoxical effect in that statins appear to reduce neuropathic pain in animals but have been associated with neuropathic pain in humans. While there are certain postulated mechanisms offering elucidation as to how statins might be associated with neuropathic pain, there is, as the American Heart Association stated, to date no definitive association between statins and neuropathic pain. Statins are important drugs that reduce cardiovascular risk factors and should be prescribed to appropriate patients with these risk factors but some of this population is also at elevated risk for neuropathic pain from other causes.
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Metadata
Title
Statins and Neuropathic Pain: A Narrative Review
Authors
Joseph V. Pergolizzi Jr.
Peter Magnusson
Jo Ann LeQuang
Robin Razmi
Gianpietro Zampogna
Robert Taylor Jr.
Publication date
01-06-2020
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Pain and Therapy / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 2193-8237
Electronic ISSN: 2193-651X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-020-00153-9

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