The Usefulness of Pregabalin for Treating Peripheral Neuropathy Induced by Cancer Chemotherapy Including Paclitaxel

Abstract

Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy not only reduces patient quality of life but also significantly interferes with the completion of cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the benefits and adverse events in 31 patients who received pregabalin for the treatment of paclitaxel : induced peripheral neuropathy between October 2010 and February 2012. In 27 (87.1％) of 31 patients who received pregabalin for peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel, the neuropathy did not worsen to Grade 3, and paclitaxel chemotherapy could be continued. Drowsiness was a common adverse event associated with pregabalin (41.9％). These results suggest that pregabalin administration might prevent paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy from worsening and consequently lead to improved chemotherapy completion rates. Moreover, it seems that pharmacists should monitor the severity of peripheral neuropathy and actively participate in planning treatment that includes the management of adverse events associated with pregabalin.