Effectiveness and time to onset of Pregabalin(Lyrica) in patients with neuropathic pain

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Schmerz. 2005 Oct 5

Effectiveness and time to onset of pregabalin in patients with

neuropathic pain.

Freynhagen R, Busche P, Konrad C, Balkenohl M.

Klinik fur Anasthesiologie, Universitatsklinikum Dusseldorf.

BACKGROUND: The data from a previously published 12-week randomised,

double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study on the efficacy

and safety of pregabalin were analyzed for time to onset of analgesic

action with neuropathic pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 338 patients with postherpetic

neuralgia or painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy were treated with

flexible or fixed regimens of pregabalin at daily doses of up to 600

mg/day (n=141 and 132, respectively) or placebo (n=65).

RESULTS: Under fixed dose treatment, a decrease of one full point on

the 11-point numerical rating pain scale was reached on day 1, two

full points on day 13, and three full points on day 23 (under

flexible dose pregabalin: on days 6, 17 and 30). In both treatment

arms, pain reduction was statistically significant (P=0.001, P=0.002

vs placebo, respectively).

CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic neuropathic pain, the analgesic

effect of both pregabalin treatment regimens was high and associated

with a rapid time to onset.