GABAPENTIN ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY IN NEUROPATHIC PAIN STATES

Objective: This is a report of a trial of the new antiepileptic agent gabapentin in patients with intractable neuropathic pain. Design: A ca se series of patients with a diagnosis of neuropathic pain whose previ ous management was inadequate were given oral gabapentin in increasing doses and were followed for a minimum of 2 months, monitored for effi cacy and side effects. Setting: An outpatient pain management center l ocated within a major university medical center. Patients: Convenience sample of patients referred for management of intractable neuropathic pain. Interventions: Simplification of existing pharmacologic managem ent, addition of gabapentin, and attempted reduction of opiate analges ic doses. Main Outcome Measures: Patient self-reports and pain scores in successive office visits. Results: Gabapentin provides analgesic ac tivity for patients with neuropathic pain and has the advantage of a l ow side effect profile and drug toxicity.