Eperisone versus tizanidine for treatment of chronic low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
Many therapies exist for treatment of chronic low-back pain (LBP) including the use of muscle relaxant and analgesic drugs. The aim of this paper was to compare efficacy and tolerability of eperisone and tizanidine in combination treatment with tramadol in chronic LBP.


METHODS
Sixty patients affected by chronic LBP associated with contractures of paravertebral muscles were randomized in two groups: Group E (30 patients) treated with eperisone; Group T (30 patients) treated with tizanidine. Both groups received tramadol retard 100 mg/day. VAS at rest and with effort were used at baseline (T0) and after 5 (T5), 10 (T10), 15 (T15) and 30 (T30) days of treatment. The Summed Pain Intensity Difference (SPID), the SPID percentage (SPID%) and the Total Pain Relief (TOTPAR), at rest (-r) and with effort (-e) were calculated.


RESULTS
In both groups a statistically significant reduction in VAS-r and VAS-e was observed during the treatment; similar reductions occurred in both groups at every timepoint. SPID-r and -e, SPID%-r and -e and TOTPAR-r and -e resulted similar between groups. A significant difference between groups occurred for incidence of somnolence: 16.6% for Group E versus 43.3% for Group T. Treatment was stopped due to adverse events in 5 patients of Group E and in 9 patients of Group T, without statistically significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Both associations assumed for one month, have shown effective for LBP at rest and with effort. Eperisone/tramadol, reducing discontinuation and allowing a better adherence to the therapy, may be considered a viable option for the treatment of chronic LBP.
Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy. marco.rossi@rm.unicatt.it
M
M
Rossi
G
G
Ianigro
G
G
Liberatoscioli
A
A
Di Castelnuovo
V
V
Grimani
A
A
Garofano
N
N
Camposarcone
L F
LF
Nardi
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011427:Propiophenones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014147:Tramadol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D011427:Propiophenones; C030848:eperisone; D014147:Tramadol; C023754:tizanidine; D003000:Clonidine