title: Sustained-release pregabalin with methylcobalamin in neuropathic pain: an Indian real-life experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropathic pain is intense in nature and difficult to manage. Thus, the primary goal is maximum relief from pain. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of sustained-release pregabalin and methylcobalamin in reducing neuropathic pain in Indian patients, in the real-life situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multicenter, prospective, open-labeled, single-arm, observational, 14-day study. Patients received fixed dose combination of 75 or 150 mg sustained-release pregabalin combined with 1500 mcg immediate release methylcobalamin, depending on the clinical requirement. Data was collected for pain reduction and other positive and negative symptoms associated with neuropathy, including hyperesthesia, paresthesia, numbness/tingling, burning sensation, muscle weakness, sleep disturbances, and impairment of movement. Pain intensity was measured on a ten-point visual analog scale (VAS) (0 represented "no pain," and 10 represented "worst pain ever"). The safety of the drug was also evaluated throughout the study duration. Data was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall reduction in mean VAS score over 14 days was 72.3%. The reduction in mean VAS score was significant as early as the first week. Both positive and negative symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were significantly improved in >50% patients within the 2 weeks. Giddiness (4.7%), followed by sedation (3.6%), dizziness (2.9%), drowsiness (2.3%), and nausea (2.3%) were the most commonly observed adverse effects. The overall efficacy and tolerability was rated as good to excellent by >95% of the investigators and patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fixed dose combination of sustained-release pregabalin and methylcobalamin significantly reduced neuropathic pain, with significant improvement in both the positive and negative symptoms associated with neuropathy, in Indian patients and was well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Unichem Laboratories Ltd, Unichem Bhavan, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Yasmin U
authors.initials: YU
authors.lastname: Dongre
authors.forename: Onkar C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Swami
keywords: India; methylcobalamin; peripheral neuropathy; pregabalin; sustained release