MISOPROSTOL
(Cytotec)
Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

Disclaimer.

Misoprostol is a drug long used to treat ulcers. It shows promise helping patients whose TN pain is a complication of multiple sclerosis.

All that's available on this so far is the following article, quoted in accordance with the Fair Use Policy:

Title:  Misoprostol in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia associated with multiple sclerosis
Journal: J Neurol. 2003 May;250(5):542-5

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis can be associated with trigeminal neuralgia which is often difficult to treat in this specific condition. We performed an open prospective trial on the efficacy and safety of the prostaglandin-E1-analogue misoprostol (600 microg per day) in the reduction of attack frequency and pain intensity in patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia associated with multiple sclerosis. Eighteen patients completed the study period and 14 of them showed a reduction of more than 50 % in attack frequency and intensity beginning five days after treatment onset. There were only mild and transient drug related side effects in three patients. One patient stopped taking misoprostol after the study period because of severe menorrhagia. Our results suggest that misoprostol is effective and safe in the treatment of this specific type of refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

Title: Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis relieved by a prostaglandin E analogue
Author: Reder_AT, Arnason_BGW
Journal: Neurology, 1995, Vol.45, No.6, pp.1097-1100

Abstract:  "Trigeminal neuralgia is an uncommon but troublesome symptom of multiple sclerosis that can be refractory to conventional treatments. Misoprostol, a long-acting prostaglandin E1 analogue, relieved pain in six of seven patients who had failed to respond to conventional pharmacologic therapy. "

From the  TN Alert, Winter, 1995-96
"Drs. Anthony T. Reder and Barry G. W. Arnason, neurologists at the  University of Chicago's Brain Research Institute found that this drug relieved TN pain in six of seven MS patients who had had no success with numerous other therapies. Four of the patients got complete relief after just several doses.  Reder and Arnason say they believe the drug helped because it reduced inflammation in the MS plaques thought to be injuring the trigeminal nerve at its root. "

 PATIENT EXPERIENCES

Please keep in mind that the following comments do not represent a scientifically adequate cross-section of  patients, and the quotes chosen may reflect the bias of the author. In other words, the information here may be skewed and faulty, but on the other hand it is the closest thing at the moment to "the voice of the people"....