Seizure drug helps reduce cancer pain

	Tweet

A drug used to prevent seizures can improve pain relief for some people taking opioids for cancer pain, European researchers report.

There have been anecdotal reports that the new-generation anti-convulsant Neurontin (gabapentin) is effective when used in combination with opioid painkillers, Dr. Augusto Caraceni of the National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy and colleagues note in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Online Tramadol, Tramadol, Tramadol HCL is one of the most prescribed treatments for pain in the world. More than 55 million people have taken cheap Tramadol to relieve their back pain, shoulder pain, and other chronic conditions. By acting on parts of the brain that trigger pain, and by reducing the size of pain signals that travel throughout the body, Ultram Tramadol provides powerful pain relief in just minutes!
Order Tramadol now
--------------------------------------------------------------

To investigate further, the researchers studied 121 patients with nerve-type cancer pain, which was partially relieved with opioid drugs. While remaining on their opioid medication, the participants were randomly assigned to additional treatment with Neurontin or an inactive placebo. Extra opioid doses were supplied as needed.

Overall, 89 patients completed the ten-day study. Average pain scores on a 10-point scale were significantly different between patients taking Neurontin (4.6) and those given the placebo (5.4).

Moreover, use of supplementary opioid doses was higher and more frequent among placebo patients.

The researchers conclude that the findings “demonstrate a limited role of gabapentin as adjuvant to opioids for neuropathic cancer pain.” Nevertheless, they add, “Significant benefit could be seen in some patients.”

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, June 15, 2004.

RELATED STORIES:
Anesthetic gel eases injection pain for kids   Nalbuphine safe, effective for severe chronic pain   Botox Eases Pain From Breast Surgery   Swearing Can Make You Feel Better   Chest pain? Don’t delay calling 911   The Price of Pain and the Value of Suffering   Sunburn offers clues for pain drug development   Pain patients often suffer in silence   Patients with Chronic Pain Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence   Georgia girl with rare disease doesn’t know pain - literally   Drug Deemed Safe, Effective for Post-Surgical Pain in Children   Many people not treated for pain

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]