Pregabalin is an approved treatment of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI). A systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled, multicenter trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of Pregabalin for SCI-induced neuropathic pain.

It searched PubMed and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane library to include Clinical controlled trials using Pregabalin for treating pain following SCI in adults (18 y old and above). It assessed pain and safety-related adverse events as outcomes. 

The study included Five publications (pregabalin, patients=261, placebo, patients=216). 

It found reduced pain; improved >30% and >50% pain relief, increased adverse events, and reduced Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores after at least 4-week’s of treatment with Pregabalin (flexible-dose, 150 to 600 mg/d), then the treatment with placebo. It found no difference in primary adverse events (drowsiness, dizziness, peripheral edema, and dry mouth) between pregabalin and placebo groups.

Thus Pregabalin is efficacious and might be a safe treatment for chronic pain followed by SCI.

 Yu X, Liu T, Zhao D., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin in Neuropathic Pain Followed Spinal Cord Injury. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 2019; 35(3):272-278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000675