Gabapentin in the management of pentazocine dependence: a potent analgesic--anticraving agent.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of Gabapentin in the management of Pentazocine dependence for suppressing muscle aching and craving during its withdrawal.


METHODS
Patients of Pentazocine dependence were divided in two groups GpA and GpB (n = 10 in each) and were administered Clonidine (P.O.) in first seven days (acute detoxification phase) and later Naltrexone (P.O.) from seventh day onwards (stabilisation-maintenance phase). Gabapentin (1200 mg/day) was additionally added in group B. Muscle pain and craving were rated on 100 mm visual-analogue scale. Psychological dependence was assessed on four step categorical scale.


RESULTS
Group B (Gabapentin group) scored significantly lower (p < 0.001) than group A on both the parameters. Psychological dependence was significantly low (p < 0.01) in Gabapentin group.


CONCLUSIONS
Gabapentin is an important adjuvant to the management of opiate dependence both in acute detoxification as well as stabilisation phase.
Kumar
P
P
Department of Medicine, SS Medical College, Rewa (MP).
Jain
M K
MK
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010423:Pentazocine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D003000:Clonidine; D010423:Pentazocine