DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Controlled-release oxycodone and pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain: results of a multicenter Italian study.

Author(s): Gatti A, Sabato AF, Occhioni R, Colini Baldeschi G, Reale C

Affiliation(s): Dipartimento AFA Servizio di Anestesia e Terapia del Dolore, Ospedale Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, Italy. antonio.gatti@ptvonline.it

Publication date & source: 2009, Eur Neurol., 61(3):129-37. Epub 2008 Dec 18.

Publication type: Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and quality of life of combination therapy with controlled-release (CR) oxycodone plus pregabalin versus monotherapy with either CR oxycodone or pregabalin in patients with neuropathic pain. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate to severe neuropathic pain, despite the use of various pharmacologic treatments prior to study entry, were enrolled (n = 409) and treated with CR oxycodone plus pregabalin (n = 169), CR oxycodone (n = 106), and pregabalin (n = 134). Pain intensity was rated on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: The combination of CR oxycodone plus pregabalin and CR oxycodone monotherapy were both more effective for alleviating neuropathic pain than pregabalin monotherapy (reduction in NRS value: 80, 76, and 46%, respectively; p </= 0.003). Significantly greater improvements from baseline in quality of life were reported with combination therapy than with monotherapy (p = 0.0009). At the end of treatment, the majority (91.2%) of patients receiving CR oxycodone plus pregabalin found that the treatment had been 'effective' or 'very effective'. Combination therapy also allowed a dose reduction of both agents (22% for CR oxycodone and 51% for pregabalin) compared with the dosages of the respective monotherapies. Combination therapy had a superior safety profile compared with pregabalin monotherapy. Conclusions: The combination of CR oxycodone plus pregabalin may represent a valuable addition to the existing pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain and warrants further investigation. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Page last updated: 2009-10-20

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017