Abstract:
Objective: To compare the efficacy of two anticonvulsant drugs topiramate and pregabalin on lumbar radicular pain and to find out whether topiramate is a better option or not. Place and Duration: This study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore. The study duration was from January to March 2020. Material and Methods: 60 patients of both gender divided into two groups of 30 each were included. Patients were assessed based on the subjective impairment scale of the Oswestry Disability Index. The maximum score was calculated in percentage with a higher score pointing to greater disability. Both drugs were given in low starting once-daily dose, 75 mg for pregabalin, and 25 mg for topiramate for two weeks followed by twice-daily dose for two more weeks in patients not getting pain relief. Results: Male to female ratio of 4:1 in both groups. The age range of 27-77 years (41.5 + 12.45) for pregabalin and 22-74 years (41.6 + 14.6) for the topiramate group. Baseline demographics and pre-drug pain measurement index were identified amongst the two groups. Oswestry disability index was 49.2 + 18.3 pre-drug and post-drug 41 + 16.4 for pregabalin (p<0.01). For topiramate, it was 43.6 + 37.9 pre-drug and 37.9 + 17.3 post drug (p <0.01). Conclusion: Both pregabalin and topiramate are effective in radicular pain management, and topiramate is not better but still a viable option as an alternative to pregabalin.
Page(s):
374-377
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College, Volume: 24, Issue: 4, Year: 2020