A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin Over Gabapentin in Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Lumbar Neuropathy – Prospective Randomized Trial

Objective: To compare efficacy and safety of Pregnablen versus Gabapentin in chronic low back pain (LBP) associated with Lumbar Neuropathy. Methods: After clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee, written informed consent was taken from patients and patients were screened for selection criteria. This study was conducted among patients attending the outpatient Department of Orthopedics of Government Medical College and hospital, Ananthapur for a period of 6 mo from October 2023 to April 2024 by Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of Orthopedics. A total of 60 (n=60) patients were observed in the study. They were divided into two groups of 30 patients in each group. First group was treated with Pregabalin 75 mgdaily night as test drug whereas the second group wasgiven Gabapentin 300 mg daily night as standard drug. The patients were followed up every week for a month. Pain intensity was assessed at the start of study i. e. at the baseline of 0 w, 1st week, 2nd week, 3rd week and 4th week using VAS and NRS scores. Results: In group a males are 83% and females 17%. In Group B males are 33% and females 67%. Pain Intensity was assessed by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale Scores) and NRS Scores (Numeric Rating Scale Scores). Pain Intensity Comparison (Visual Analogue Scale Scores)-Both drugs reduced pain over time, but Pregabalin showed statistically significantly greater pain relief compared to Gabapentin from the 2nd week onwards. p-values<0.05 indicates statistical significance. Pain Intensity Comparison (Numeric Rating Scale Scores)-Both drugs led to progressive pain reduction, but Pregabalin provided significantly better pain relief starting from Week 1 (earlier than VAS result). The highly significant p-values from Week 1 onwards (especially at Week 4) indicates a strong statistical difference favoring Pregabalin. During the study, the adverse effects observed due to study drugs are somnolence, dizziness and nausea.7 patient from Group A and 1 patients from Group B complained of somnolence.9 patients from Group A and 2 patients from Group B complained of dizziness.8 patient from Group A and 1 patients from Group B complained of nausea, difference between 2 groups was statistically significant (p value<0.05). Hence Gabapentin is more tolerable. Conclusion: Both drugs, Gabapentin and Pregabalin reduced pain over time. Pregabalin is more efficacious than Gabapentin and Gabapentin is more tolerable than Pregabalin.