Results from a randomized clinical study show that the anticonvulsant drug pregabalin provides rapid relief from pain and pain-related sleep disturbance in patients with spinal cord injuries, according to a Medscape report.
The study lays groundwork to fill a treatment gap for spinal cord injury patients, according to investigators Luis Sanin, MD and Bruce Parsons, MD, PhD, both at Pfizer Inc. "As the neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury is difficult to treat, we believe that pregabalin is an important treatment option for these patients," said Dr. Parsons.
Further studies are still needed to determine if the effect of pregabalin is significantly better than other treatments such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants and opioids, according to Hui-Lin Pan, MD, PhD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Zalicus Neuropathic Pain Drug Enters Clinical Trials
Pre-Op Educational Video May Reduce Patient Pain
The study lays groundwork to fill a treatment gap for spinal cord injury patients, according to investigators Luis Sanin, MD and Bruce Parsons, MD, PhD, both at Pfizer Inc. "As the neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury is difficult to treat, we believe that pregabalin is an important treatment option for these patients," said Dr. Parsons.
Further studies are still needed to determine if the effect of pregabalin is significantly better than other treatments such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants and opioids, according to Hui-Lin Pan, MD, PhD, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Related Articles on Pain Management:
Study Examines Why Vioxx Damaged Patients' HeartsZalicus Neuropathic Pain Drug Enters Clinical Trials
Pre-Op Educational Video May Reduce Patient Pain