Anti-epilepsy drug may reduce nerve pain

A new study indicates, that the drug Gabitril (tiagabine) is effective in easing a disorder termed complex regional pain syndrome, which involves diffuse pain in the arms or legs, often following a localized injury.

Gabitril is a drug commonly used to treat epilepsy. Studies in animals suggest that it would be effective in treating pain caused by nerve damage as well, Dr. Raymond Sorensen and Michael G. Jenson note in their report, published in the American Journal of Pain Management.

The researchers, based at PETC Research Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma, treated 20 patients with complex regional pain syndrome type—also commonly called Reflex sympathetic dystrophy-- with Gabitril, started at 2 to 4 mg daily and escalating to doses of up to 12 mg.

The patients, who had never been tried on anti-epilepsy drugs or for whom such drugs had been ineffective, took the new drug for 24 weeks.

Sixteen patients reported either excellent or good reduction in their symptoms. The other four reported little improvement (less than 20 percent reduction in symptoms).

Three patients discontinued treatment due to nausea and one because it wasn’t helping.

“Placebo-controlled trials are needed to better assess this most promising agent,” the authors conclude.

SOURCE: American Journal of Pain Management, April 2005.

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