Gabapentin adjunctive therapy in neuropathic pain states

Abstract

Objective: This is a report of a trial of the new antiepileptic agent gabapentin in patients with intractable neuropathic pain.

Design: A case series of patients with a diagnosis of neuropathic pain whose previous management was inadequate were given oral gabapentin in increasing doses and were followed for a minimum of 2 months, monitored for efficacy and side effects.

Setting: An outpatient pain management center located within a major university medical center.

Patients: Convenience sample of patients referred for management of intractable neuropathic pain.

Interventions: Simplification of existing pharmacologic management, addition of gabapentin, and attempted reduction of opiate analgesic doses.

Main outcome measures: Patient self-reports and pain scores in successive office visits.

Results: Gabapentin provides analgesic activity for patients with neuropathic pain and has the advantage of a low side effect profile and drug toxicity.