Vondracek, P., Oslejskova, H., Kepak, T., Mazanek, P., Sterba, J., Rysava, M., & Gal, P. (2009). Efficacy of pregabalin in neuropathic pain in paediatric oncological patients. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 13, 332–336.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pregabalin in the management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.

Children were medicated with pregabalin twice daily starting at 75 mg per day and titrated upwards by 75 mg daily with doses ranging from 150–300 mg for eight weeks. No patient was receiving chemotherapy at the time of pregabalin administration. Patients were evaluated prior to treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 of treatment using a visual analog scale. Patients were asked about side effects.

• The total sample size was 28 (19 females, 11 males).
• Age ranged from 10–17 years; mean age was 13.5 years.
• The participants had been diagnosed with childhood solid tumors and leukemia.
• The participants had been treated with platinum and/or vinca alkaloids and developed peripheral neuropathy.
• No other drug was used for neuropathic pain.

The study was conducted at a single outpatient setting in the Czech Republic.

The study had a prospective trial design.

Visual analog scale

The mean visual analog scale score decreased by 59% from baseline during eight weeks of pregabalin with statistically significant improvement in pain symptoms (p < 0.001). A marked pain relief was noted in 14, moderate pain relief in 10, mild pain relief in two, and no pain relief in two patients. Adverse effects were mild or moderate.

Pregabalin appears to be safe and effective in treating pediatric patients with cancer suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Pregabalin has mild to moderate adverse effects.

• The sample size was small (less than 30).
• The study lacked a comparison or control group.
• Measurement of pain was conducted with one scale.
• The patient population age limits the ability to generalize findings to the adult cancer population.

Pregabalin has been shown to be effective in relieving pain from chemotherapy in pediatric patients; however, pregabalin is expensive and a controlled drug. Preagabalin has mild to moderate side effects and was tolerated without major complications.