A recent study describes the efficacy of pregabalin combined with celecoxib for acute pain treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

142 patients with acute pain due to lumbar disc herniation were selected and randomized into a control group and a study group. The control group accepted conventional treatment with celecoxib, while the study group accepted the same treatment as the control group, along with receiving pregabalin. Patients in both groups received continuous treatment for 2 weeks.

Visual analog scale scores of the pain of both groups in 2, 7, and 14-day treatment were found to be lower than those before treatment. Both groups displayed lower Oswestry disability index scores on the 7 and 14 days of treatment than before treatment and Oswestry disability index scores of 14-day treatment were lower than those of 7 d treatment. However, the study group showed lower Oswestry disability index scores in the 7 and 14 d treatment than the control group. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels declined after treatment in both groups, however, these values were again lower in the study group than in the control group. Both groups showed no significant difference in adverse effects rate during the treatment period. 

Thus, Pregabalin combined with celecoxib can effectively lessen pain in patients with acute pain due to lumbar disc herniation, enhance lumbar spine function, diminish the levels of inflammatory factors, and shows a good safety profile.

Source: Indian J Pharm Sci 2022:84(2)Spl Issue:16-20.