ABSTRACT
Two decades ago, systemic drugs indicated for pain belonged roughly to three mechanistic classes: the opioids, the nonselective NSAIDs, and the anticonvulsants, the latter class represented by a single member, carbamazepine. As of this writing, there are approximately 10 classes of drugs approved for use in the management of pain in the United States and Canada. Recent additions to the pharmacopoeia for pain exemplify two signicantly differing pathways for bringing new pain therapies to market.
