European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF PREGABALIN WITH NORTRIPTYLINE AND GABAPENTIN WITH NORTRIPTYLINE IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY AND RADICULOPATHY

Dr. Syed Jaffer*, Mohammad Farhan Ahmed, Mir Annas Ali, Farheen Sultana and Dr. BSV Raju

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study and evaluate the safety and efficacy associated with use of pregabalin with nortriptyline and gabapentin with nortriptyline, in patients with diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy and their respective ADR. Background: Diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy are common cause of disability. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication associated with DM that affects approximately one third of people with DM type 1 / type 2. Anticonvulsant medications are now considered the best treatment option with fewer adverse effects and in this study we compare the safety and efficacy of pregabalin and gabapentin in combination with antidepressant drug nortriptyline. Methodology: A hospital based prospective study was conducted in Neurology Out- Patient Department of Aster Prime Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Patient details were collected using data collection forms. Patients were counseled about the disease. Visual analogue score (VAS) and Modified MAC NAB criteria of spine questionnaire was used. Results: Out of 150 patients, 45 patients were treated with pregabalin with nortriptyline and 105 patients were treated with gabapentin with nortriptyline and using SPSS software which incorporates mean, standard deviation method, t test and chi square test, results were calculated. Results obtained illustrate that pregabalin with nortriptyline was associated with less adverse effects and is considered to be more safe and efficacious when compared with gabapentin with nortriptyline. Conclusion: It is crucial to find an effective and an equally safe treatment to reduce the further risk of co morbidities associated with diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy.

Keywords: Diabetic neuropathy, Radiculopathy, Pregabalin, Gabapentin, Nortryptiline.