Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and side effects of pregabalin in patients naïve to antiepileptic drugs (naïve group) and those who had changed to pregabalin (change group).
METHODS: The clinical records of 69 patients were retrospectively examined.
RESULTS: There were 36 patients in the change group and 33 in the naïve group. Pain significantly improved in the naïve group compared with the change group (p=0.027). Among 62 patients who underwent blood examinations (n=31 in each group), liver enzymes were elevated in 22 (p=0.596) and serum creatinine in 3 (p=0.554). Twenty patients experienced subjective symptoms, such as fatigue, drowsiness, and exhaustion (p=0.068), and 3 (all in the change group) stopped taking pregabalin.
CONCLUSIONS: Pregabalin was more effective in naïve patients than in patients in the change group. However, no differences in the occurrence of side effects were found between the two groups; thus regular liver and renal function examinations are strongly advocated.
