All topics

Facial neuralgia

Published on December 2, 2025 at 3:00 / Updated on December 16, 2025 at 8:01

Facial neuralgia, also known as trigeminal neuralgia, is a painful disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for facial sensation.

The main symptom of this condition is facial pain described as stabbing, burning, or electric shock-like sensations. The pain can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and, in some rare instances, can recur as often as 100 times a day. The pain usually affects the lower part of the face but can also involve areas such as the cheeks or the region around the eyes. Usually, only one side of the face is affected.

Causes and triggers

In most cases, the pain is caused by a blood vessel pressing on the nerve. Less commonly, the pain may be the result of nerve damage (multiple sclerosis, tumour, aneurysm, etc.). People over the age of 50 and women are also at higher risk of developing trigeminal neuralgia.

Certain everyday actions can trigger this type of pain:

  • Eating
  • Smiling
  • Talking
  • Brushing your teeth
  • Touching your face
  • Exposure of the face to cold air or wind

Treatment

Several medications acting differently are used to relieve the severe pain associated with this condition:

  • Medications commonly used to treat epilepsy
  • Medications that help reduce muscle spasms
  • Medications commonly used to treat depression

In some patients, trigeminal neuralgia does not respond to medication. Surgical intervention or less common types of treatment may then be considered.

For more information, do not hesitate to speak to your health care provider.

The drugs and pharmaceutical services featured on the familiprix.com website are offered by pharmacists who own the affiliated pharmacies at Familiprix. The information contained on the familiprix.com site is for informational purposes only and does not in any way replace the advice and advice of your pharmacist or any other health professional. Always consult a health professional before taking or discontinuing medication or making any other decision. Familiprix inc. and the proprietary pharmacists affiliated with Familiprix do not engage in any way by making this information available on this website.