Pregabalin for peripheral neuropathic pain.
Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug that is under review for use in Canada. It was recently approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of adults with peripheral neuropathic pain (NeP). In most short-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pregabalin in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and or post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), there were early and significant decreases in mean pain scores. The number of subjects with > 50% reduction in pain score was increased when pregabalin was compared to placebo. The most common adverse effects were dizziness and sleepiness. Withdrawal due to adverse events was also more frequent with pregabalin than with placebo. While pregabalin appears to be an effective treatment for NeP, there is no evidence that it offers advantages over treatments being used in Canada.
Hadj Tahar
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017277:Drug Approval; D016527:Drug Costs; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid