Chronic Tension Headache
September 29, 2016
Chewable C
September 30, 2016
Show all

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The following clinical paper found gabapentin to be effective in the reduction of pain and the reduction of severity of symptoms in patients suffering from CTS “The efficacy and safety of gabapentin in carpal tunnel patients: open label trial” (Med Clin (Barc). 2008 Mar 22;130(10):371-3).

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of gabapentin in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as well as the electromyographic (EMG) evolution after 6 months.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective study with a 6-month follow-up of patients with EMG diagnosis of primary CTS starting treatment with 1,800 mg/day of gabapentin. At baseline visit and after 6 months of treatment a complete clinical evaluation and an EMG study were performed. Adverse effects of gabapentin were also registered.

RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included, mean age (standard deviation) 58.88 (7.69) years. After 6 months of treatment, a statistically significant reduction of pain (p = 0.001) and improvement of severity of symptoms (p = 0.008) were observed, although functional capacity did not change. EMG was performed in 19 patients at 6 months. Compared to baseline EMG: 52.6% patients showed no changes in EMG findings, while 5.3% patients showed improvement and in 26.3% the EMG was normal. Progression was only seen in 15.8% of patients after 6 months of treatment. In 28% of the patients gabapentin was stopped because of side effects.

CONCLUSIONS: In our series, gabapentin was effective in the reduction of pain and improvement of the severity of the symptoms. Results of EMG after 6 months of treatment showed no changes, with improvement and/or remission in 84.2% of the cases. The drug was safe and well tolerated. PMID: 18381028

We have the ability to compound gabapentin into a transdermal cream that can applied directly to the area of pain. This form of delivery may provide relief at a much lower dose, and help to limit the systemic side effects associated with the oral dosing form.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *