Pre-Emptive GABAPENTIN V/S PREGABALIN for Acute Postoperative Analgesia following Abdominal Hysterectomy under Spinal Anaesthesia: A Randomized Double Blind Study

Pre-Emptive GABAPENTIN V/S PREGABALIN for Acute Postoperative Analgesia

Abstract

PREGABALIN is a potent ligand for alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system, which exhibits potent anticonvulsant, analgesic and anxiolytic activity. The pharmacological activity of PREGABALIN is similar to that of GABAPENTIN and shows possible advantages .Although it shows analgesic efficacy against neuropathic pain. We investigated its analgesic efficacy in patients experiencing acute pain after abdominal hysterectomy and compared it with gabapentin and placebo for pre-emptive analgesia.
Materials and Method: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 90 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anaesthesia were selected. Patients received 300 mg pregabalin, 900 mg gabapentin or placebo, 1 hours prior to surgery. Postoperative analgesia was administered at visual analogue scale (VAS) ≥3. The primary outcome was analgesic consumption over 24 hours and time to rescue analgesia, sedation score, side effects as secondary outcomes.
RESULTS: The Diclofenac consumption was statistically significant between pregabalin and gabapentin groups, and pregabalin and control groups The sedation score was statistically significant between pregabalin and gabapentin groups, and pregabalin and control groups. Time to first request for analgesia was longer in pregabalin group followed by gabapentin and control groups.
CONCLUSION: A single dose of 300 mg pregabalin given 1 hours prior to surgery is superior to 900 mg gabapentin and placebo after abdominal hysterectomy. Both the drugs are better than placebo.