Gabapentin adjunctive therapy in neuropathic pain states.
OBJECTIVE
This is a report of a trial of the new antiepileptic agent gabapentin in patients with intractable neuropathic pain.


METHODS
A case series of patients with a diagnosis of neuropathic pain whose previous management was inadequate were given oral gabapentin in increasing doses and were followed for a minimum of 2 months, monitored for efficacy and side effects.


METHODS
An outpatient pain management center located within a major university medical center.


METHODS
Convenience sample of patients referred for management of intractable neuropathic pain.


METHODS
Simplification of existing pharmacologic management, addition of gabapentin, and attempted reduction of opiate analgesic doses.


METHODS
Patient self-reports and pain scores in successive office visits.


RESULTS
Gabapentin provides analgesic activity for patients with neuropathic pain and has the advantage of a low side effect profile and drug toxicity.
Rosner
H
H
Department of Anesthesiology, New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center, New York 10021, USA.
Rubin
L
L
Kestenbaum
A
A
D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin