title: [Pregabalin and gabapentin in multiple sclerosis: clinical experiences and therapeutic implications].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to a plethora of additional symptoms patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receive symptomatic treatment besides disease-modifying therapies. Among the substances which are commonly used are ion channel modulators (e. g. pregabalin, gabapentin, carbamazepine). The aim of this study was to investigate the use of these drugs in clinical practice in a larger patient cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 533 MS patients [439 without and 94 patients with add-on therapy (treatment group)] were evaluated retrospectively. All patients received a detailed neurological examination including evaluation of EDSS scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregabalin and gabapentin are used most commonly. Abnormal sensations are the most frequent reason for therapy initiation. Patients with higher EDSS values and/or under mitoxantrone treatment most frequently receive additional therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  So far, it is not known whether the investigated agents exert a beneficial influence on the disease course of MS itself beyond a mere symptomatic treatment. Further research efforts and clinical studies are necessary to address this question.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für entzündliche Erkrankungen des Nervensystems und Neuroonkologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Domagkstr. 13, 48149 Münster, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bittner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Höhn
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Göbel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kleinschnitz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiendl
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Meuth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000588:Amines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D000069583:Pregabalin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D007473:Ion Channels; D014227:Triazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D000077213:Lamotrigine