Efficacy of pregabalin in neuropathic pain in paediatric oncological patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pregabalin in the management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in patients with childhood solid tumors and leukaemia.


METHODS
In an open-label study, 30 children (11 boys and 19 girls; mean age 13.5 years) who were treated for solid tumors and leukaemia, and developed a painful peripheral neuropathy, were medicated with pregabalin in the daily dose of 150-300 mg for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients completed the 8-week follow-up. A significant and long-lasting pain relief was noted in 86% of these patients. Median VAS score decreased by 59% at the 8th week from baseline. Adverse effects were infrequent and transient.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment with pregabalin resulted in a significant improvement in pain symptoms. The use of pregabalin in children is off-label so far. However, this drug seems to be a safe and effective remedy, which could significantly broaden the therapeutic spectrum in paediatric oncological patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
Vondracek
Petr
P
Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. pvondracek@fnbrno.cz
Oslejskova
Hana
H
Kepak
Tomas
T
Mazanek
Pavel
P
Sterba
Jaroslav
J
Rysava
Marie
M
Gal
Petr
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000700:Analgesics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid