Gabapentin: a new tool in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Human neuropathic pain remains a prevalent and pervasive problem in our society. Pharmacologically there is also no single, uniformly well-tolerated drug that is reliably helpful. Gabapentin has emerged as a useful new tool based on the results of two large multicenter trials in models of human neuropathy. Gabapentin proved to be a significantly better analgesic than placebo, was well tolerated in the elderly population, and had a significant positive impact on several subjective and objective outcome measures. A discussion of the standard treatments and the studies supporting this new tool is the purpose of this review.
Harden
R N
RN
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000588:Amines; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin