Vondracek, P., Oslejskova, H., Kepak, T., Mazanek, P., Sterba, J., Rysava, M., & Gal, P. (2009). Efficacy of pregabalin in neuropathic pain in paediatric oncological patients. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 13, 332–336.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pregabalin in the management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.
Children were medicated with pregabalin twice daily starting at 75 mg per day and titrated upwards by 75 mg daily with doses ranging from 150–300 mg for eight weeks. No patient was receiving chemotherapy at the time of pregabalin administration. Patients were evaluated prior to treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 of treatment using a visual analog scale. Patients were asked about side effects.
The study was conducted at a single outpatient setting in the Czech Republic.
The study had a prospective trial design.
Visual analog scale
The mean visual analog scale score decreased by 59% from baseline during eight weeks of pregabalin with statistically significant improvement in pain symptoms (p < 0.001). A marked pain relief was noted in 14, moderate pain relief in 10, mild pain relief in two, and no pain relief in two patients. Adverse effects were mild or moderate.
Pregabalin appears to be safe and effective in treating pediatric patients with cancer suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Pregabalin has mild to moderate adverse effects.
Pregabalin has been shown to be effective in relieving pain from chemotherapy in pediatric patients; however, pregabalin is expensive and a controlled drug. Preagabalin has mild to moderate side effects and was tolerated without major complications.