Topical Analgesics for Neuropathic Pain Webinar
CME Webinar FREE for AAPM Members and $25 for Nonmembers
Neuropathic pain remains one of the most complex and persistent challenges in clinical medicine, affecting an estimated 7–8% of the adult population. Despite the availability of oral medications like TCAs, SNRIs, and alpha-2-delta ligands, up to 60% of patients report insufficient relief. Furthermore, systemic side effects, polypharmacy, and medication intolerance often limit adherence.
In this webinar presented by the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), Dr. Priyanka Singla, MD, and Dr. Jeffrey Bettinger, PharmD, explore a timely and underutilized approach: topical therapies for neuropathic pain. As expert panelists and contributors to the newly developed AAPM consensus guidelines, they share clinical algorithms and evidence-informed strategies for managing common neuropathic pain syndromes using non-systemic agents. The webinar is based on the guideline, Topical Analgesics for Neuropathic Pain: An Evidence-Informed Guide for the Practicing Clinician, recently published in Pain Medicine Journal.
Why Topical Therapies Matter
Topical agents offer targeted pain relief with minimal systemic absorption, reducing the risk of common side effects associated with oral medications. For many patients, especially those with multimorbidity or polypharmacy concerns, topical analgesics are a preferred, safer alternative.
According to the presenters, topicals are especially relevant for:
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)
- Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
- Post-Surgical Neuropathic Pain (PSNP)
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia and Vulvodynia
Despite their growing use, the majority of topical agents are not FDA-approved for neuropathic pain and lack large-scale clinical trials—creating confusion for prescribers. That’s where this expert panel stepped in.
Evidence and Guidance From the AAPM Neuropathic Pain Consensus Panel
Drs. Singla and Bettinger highlight their involvement in a comprehensive review and consensus-building process that evaluated available clinical data, including randomized trials, open-label studies, and clinical experience. The result is an evidence-informed clinical guide that ranks topical medications by efficacy and relevance to specific conditions. Learn about the Key FDA-Approved Options and Off-Label, but Commonly Used Topicals.
The webinar will include multiple patient case scenarios that emphasize the real-world application of the guideline, including DPN, PHN, CRPS, PSNP, Trigeminal Neuoralgia, and Vulvodynia.
Practical Considerations
While promising, topical therapies come with their own challenges, which will be covered in the webinar.
- Cost and Insurance
- Dosing and Application
- Evidence Gaps
Why You Should Attend:
Topical Therapies offer a safe, effective, and often underutilized option for neuropathic pain. With guidance from experts like Priyanka Singla, MD, AND Jeffry Bettinger, PharmD, practitioners can feel confident implementing these treatments using an evidence-based, patient-centered approach.
This CME and ACPE webinar provides the tools clinicians need to personalize treatment, improve outcomes, and reduce reliance on systemic medications.
The topical Analgesics for Neuropathic Pain: An evidence-informed guide for the practicing clinician was made possible by unrestricted education grants from Averitas Pharma and Scilex Holding.
