Efficacy of pregabalin versus nortriptyline in the treatment of chronic low backache with radiculopathy: an open label observational study

Authors

  • Annapurna V. T. Department of Pharmacology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals. Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  • Nivedita Maity Department of Pharmacology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals. Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  • Ravikumar T. V. Department of Orthopedics, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals. Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20193172

Keywords:

Chronic low backache, Efficacy, Nortriptyline, Pregabalin, Tolerability

Abstract

Background: The efficacy and safety of Pregabalin and Nortriptyline have been proved individually in low backache with radicular pain. However, there are limited number of studies comparing the efficacy of Pregabalin and Nortriptyline in Chronic Low Backache (CLBA) with radicular pain. Hence the present study was designed to determine the efficacy as well as tolerability of Pregabalin in comparison with that of Nortriptyline for reduction of pain in CLBA. The present study was an open label prospective observational study.

Methods: Patients with CLBA, 15-60 years of age without specific cause and significant neurological deficit were included in the study. Severity of pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were followed up at 2 and 4 weeks and their VAS scores and side effects were noted.

Results: Both Pregabalin and Nortriptyline were effective in reducing pain, from baseline to 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks of treatment in chronic low backache with radicular pain, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups. The incidences of side effects were less in the Nortriptyline treatment group as compared to Pregabalin.

Conclusions: From the results of the present study it can be concluded that both Pregabalin and Nortriptyline were equally effective in the treatment of chronic low backache with radicular pain, but the incidence of adverse effects were more with Pregabalin as compared to Nortriptyline.

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Published

2019-07-23

How to Cite

T., A. V., Maity, N., & V., R. T. (2019). Efficacy of pregabalin versus nortriptyline in the treatment of chronic low backache with radiculopathy: an open label observational study. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 8(8), 1749–1753. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20193172

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Section

Original Research Articles