Calcium and sodium channel antagonists for the treatment of pain

Several lines of evidence developed in preclinical models suggest that both spontaneous and evoked pain are mediated in part by voltage-sensitive sodi um and calcium channels, which are in abundance in both the peripheral and the central nervous system. There is an abundance of research, both preclin ical and clinical, on the effects of the sodium and calcium channel antagon ists on nociceptive processing, Clinical studies on the efficacy of the sod ium channel antagonists in the treatment of acute and chronic pain have had mixed results. Preliminary studies of the N-type calcium channel antagonis ts for the treatment of acute and chronic pain are promising but too early to enable researchers to make firm conclusions. This review summarizes the current Literature on the effects of the sodium and calcium channel antagon ists on acute nociceptive processing, facilitated pain, and neuropathic pai n.