Effect of Oral Gabapentin and Pregabalin in the Management of Neuropathic Pain in Palliative Care Patients: An Institution-based Comparative Study

Abstract

Ab s t r Ac t Background: Gabapentin and pregabalin are antiepileptic drugs used in the treatment of neuropathic pain. They are used as adjuvants with analgesics in the management of pain. Aims and objectives: We aimed to compare gabapentin and pregabalin’s role in neuropathic pain in cancer patients. Materials and methods: This prospective, comparative study included 100 patients having neuropathic pain, undergoing cancer treatment in Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. Results: The mean age of patients was 38.2 ± 8.2 in the gabapentin group and 37.4 ± 7.4 in the pregabalin group. Headache was the most common among the gabapentin group, followed equally by placebo and pregabalin groups. Nausea was equally reported by the gabapentin and placebo groups. Dizziness was seen equally among the placebo and pregabalin groups followed by the gabapentin group. Conclusion: The study concluded that pregabalin is a better medication for the management of neuropathic pain as compared to gabapentin.