Pregabalin for the treatment of painful neuropathy.
Pregabalin is an alpha(2)-delta ligand that binds to and modulates voltage-gated calcium channels, exerting its intended effect to reduce neuropathic pain. Pregabalin is the second of only two medications that are US FDA approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy; it is also the third medication for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Currently, there are three pivotal clinical studies documenting the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy, and three clinical studies regarding the use of pregabalin for pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. This article will review each of these studies, as well as provide a clinical review for the use of pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Sonnett
Travis E
TE
Washington State University, College of Pharmacy, Family Home Care Corporation, 9922 E Montgomery Avenue, Suite 3, Spokane, WA 99206, USA. sonnett@familyhomecare.org
Setter
Stephen M
SM
Campbell
R Keith
RK
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid