Posted on 12/23/2022 12:39:06 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A study suggests two anticonvulsants often prescribed for chronic pain are only "modestly effective" at pain management and can create an unfavorable risk/reward situation for patients.
The findings are important because prescriptions for the drugs, gabapentin and pregabalin, have been on the rise as the U.S. tries to move away from opioids amid an ongoing opioid epidemic.
The study also found in randomized trials, patients on placebos tended to report one-third to one-half the pain reduction benefit of patients receiving gabapentin or pregabalin.
The findings highlight challenges involving studies and trials used by the FDA when it considers approving a drug. The study also sheds light on the consequences of the shift away from opioids and the practice of "off-label" prescribing.
The research by Craig Williams looked at a pair of anticonvulsant medications that work the same way in the body. They bind to a certain protein in cells of the central nervous system, alleviating seizures, and in some cases they also relieve neuropathic pain caused by peripheral nervous system activation or dysfunction.
Gabapentin is available under multiple brand names including Neurontin, and pregabalin is commonly sold as Lyrica.
They found gabapentin, which the FDA rejected as a diabetic peripheral neuropathy drug, and pregabalin were similarly effective at controlling pain when compared in studies head-to-head. That is not surprising given that they work the same way, said Williams.
Numbers from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality note that 20% of Americans with chronic pain are taking a gabapentinoid.
"New guidance from the CDC to be released soon is expected to call for even greater use of non-opioid analgesics including gabapentinoids," Williams said. "But data regarding the use of these drugs for chronic pain is limited, and instances of inappropriate marketing for off-label pain uses are well documented."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
My DD with extreme sciatic nerve injury and pain got significant relief from gabapentin and other pain relievers and muscle relaxants
Oregon State University is home of Linus Pauling Institute. Pauling wrote How to Live Longer and Feel Better about 55 years ago, recommended many vitamins, which I’ve been taking since them. Had a great talk with my MD and his nurse at appt last week. He prescribes all the supplements I take to keep me healthy, didn’t think I needed a vax. In the last 16 years, I had one cold that lasted 4 days. Period.
How to Live Longer and Feel Better available at AMZ, highly recommend it.
“...as the U.S. tries to move away from opioids amid an ongoing opioid epidemic.”
The ‘opioid epidemic’ is 90% from illegal Fentanyl (107,000 deaths in 2022), while Rx opioids are needed for pain management, and tiny in comparison with Fentanyl.
I take 300mg of Gabapentin 1x/ day, and 50-100mg of Tramadol for peripheral neuropathy and lower back pain, when needed.
When it comes to end organ damage, narcotics are the safest most effective drug available for severe pain. The side effects of their less effective substitutes such as Acetaminophen and NSAIDS are liver and kidney damage and hypertension. Lyrica gets you little analgesia and a lot of sedation. I guess if you’re unconscious that counts as analgesia.
Guess the cat did not know it was only "modestly effective" as it worked for her. And she is a prime diva when she is uncomfortable.
I became aware of Dr. Linus Pauling when I read his name on a Vietcong propaganda leaflet left for us along a trail. Apparently, he made some statement against the Vietnam War and the enemy made use of it.
Gabapentin does an admirable job of suppressing night-time foot pain from diabetic neuropathy. A side benefit is that it has also 100% eliminated my restless-leg-syndrome.
So of course they’re making it more difficult to get. Ohio is now treating it as an opioid. Thanks guys!
What are the risks? Did I miss something in the article?
So you will or will not be interested in nutritional advice?
Yes, vet put our 14 yr old yorkie on gabapentin a couple of years ago.
Along with the gabapentin, she takes meds for high blood pressure, dementia, allergies and kidney support.
Expensive meds, but they seem to keep her comfortable.
I was given gabapentin for neuropathy years (maybe even decades ago, can’t remember) ago. Felt nothing from it, no change, no high, no improvement, stopped it. Neuropathy is very bad now.
They had chewed and clawed any number of holes in it's hide before I arrived and dispatched it with a shot to the head.
I take 2400 mg a day or more gaba. It no linger helps the pain.
1200 mg at time does not even phase me.
but, if I stop taking it, it does have effects on anxiety levels and pain.
A half bottle of Wild Turkey works better.
I have diabetes with the peripheral neurological problems that come with it...but I also have MS.
I still function normally but I use as a comfort thought ...knowing that I WILL die some day.
My body is not a prison quite yet.
It’s time to discuss options with my doctor I guess.
Maybe assisted suicide?
Okay. I am joking today.
I am still okay.
“ side benefit is that it has also 100% eliminated my restless-leg-syndrome.
So of course they’re making it more difficult to get. Ohio is now treating it as an opioid”
That’s what I take it for and it’s a great relaxant for sleeping. Never had a problem getting it and had no idea it could be used for pain. I hope I don’t have any problems in the future. It doesn’t seem all that strong to me but it works for my purposes.
Gabapentin does little for my neuropathy, but I sometimes add ibuprofen to get relief. At least, both are dirt cheap.
“ I take 2400 mg a day or more gaba”
Hard to believe that’s a normal dose? My doctor said kids take that much to get messed up - I didn’t even know it was being abused.
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