Comparison of Oral Gabapentin and Pregabalin in Postoperative Pain Control After Photorefractive Keratectomy

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Purpose: To compare the efficacy of oral gabapentin and its newer analogue pregabalin in postoperative pain control after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods: One hundred and four patients who meet the inclusion criteria undergoing PRK in one or both eyes will be randomized into one of two treatment groups. Those in group A will be treated with gabapentin, and those in group B will be treated with pregabalin to control postoperative PRK pain. Patients in both groups will begin treatment two hours prior to surgery in order to achieve therapeutic blood levels of each medication. After surgery the patients will assess their pain level using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at different intervals of time - one hour after surgery, the evening of the surgery, and three times each day for three subsequent days. Patients will also daily assess their level of somnolence using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and record the presence of dizziness for the same amount of time. On the fourth day they will return to clinic for a postoperative appointment. At that time the pain, sleepiness, and dizziness assessment scales will be collected and analyzed. The patients will return one month later to further assess long-term pain and healing after PRK. Results: Both gabapentin and pregabalin have been shown in previous studies to treat postoperative pain effectively. The effects of gabapentin 300 mg TID for 3 days versus pregabalin 50 mg TID for 3 days on decreasing overall postoperative pain following PRK will be presented. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the two different treatment medications will be analyzed, and the conclusion will be based on the results.
ConditionPostoperative Pain
InterventionDrug: Gabapentin
Drug: pregabalin
PhaseN/A
SponsorLoma Linda University
Responsible PartyLoma Linda University
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00954187
First ReceivedAugust 5, 2009
Last UpdatedMarch 27, 2012
Last verifiedMarch 2012

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateAugust 5, 2009
Last Updated DateMarch 27, 2012
Start DateNovember 2009
Estimated Primary Completion DateNovember 2012
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresDecreased overall pain score as measured by the visual analogue scale [Time Frame: one month] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresNot Provided

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleComparison of Oral Gabapentin and Pregabalin in Postoperative Pain Control After Photorefractive Keratectomy
Official TitleComparison of Oral Gabapentin and Pregabalin in Postoperative Pain Control After Photorefractive Keratectomy: a Prospective, Randomized Study.
Brief Summary
Purpose: To compare the efficacy of oral gabapentin and its newer analogue pregabalin in
postoperative pain control after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods: One hundred and four patients who meet the inclusion criteria undergoing PRK in one
or both eyes will be randomized into one of two treatment groups. Those in group A will be
treated with gabapentin, and those in group B will be treated with pregabalin to control
postoperative PRK pain. Patients in both groups will begin treatment two hours prior to
surgery in order to achieve therapeutic blood levels of each medication. After surgery the
patients will assess their pain level using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at different
intervals of time - one hour after surgery, the evening of the surgery, and three times each
day for three subsequent days. Patients will also daily assess their level of somnolence
using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and record the presence of dizziness for the same
amount of time. On the fourth day they will return to clinic for a postoperative
appointment. At that time the pain, sleepiness, and dizziness assessment scales will be
collected and analyzed. The patients will return one month later to further assess
long-term pain and healing after PRK.

Results: Both gabapentin and pregabalin have been shown in previous studies to treat
postoperative pain effectively. The effects of gabapentin 300 mg TID for 3 days versus
pregabalin 50 mg TID for 3 days on decreasing overall postoperative pain following PRK will
be presented.

Conclusion: The effectiveness of the two different treatment medications will be analyzed,
and the conclusion will be based on the results.
Detailed Description
METHODS:

One hundred and four patients who meet the inclusion criteria undergoing photorefractive
keratectomy (PRK) in one or both eyes will be randomly assigned into one of two treatment
groups via computer. Those in group A will be treated with gabapentin and those in group B
will be treated with pregabalin to control postoperative PRK pain. Patients in both groups
will begin treatment two hours prior to surgery. Patients in the gabapentin group will take
300 mg three times a day starting two hours prior to surgery and will continue for a total
of four days. Patients in the pregabalin group will take 50 mg three times a day starting
two hours prior to surgery and will also continue for four days.

Only the refractive surgery coordinator and the patient will know what medication the
patient is taking. The patient will be instructed not to share this information with any
other study participants or their surgeon. The coordinator will keep a list of the patients
ID numbers and the treatments they are receiving.

Prior to surgery, each patient will be taught how to assess their pain level using the
visual analogue scale (VAS), a well documented method of pain assessment. After
surgery the patients will assess their pain levels at different intervals of time - one hour
after surgery, the evening of the surgery, and three times a day for four subsequent days.
Patients will also daily assess their level of somnolence using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
(ESS) and record the presence of dizziness daily for the same amount of time. On the fourth
day they will return to clinic for a post operative appointment. At that time the pain
assessment scales will be collected and analyzed. The patients will return at one month to
further assess long term pain after PRK.

Statistical Analysis:

Postoperative pain levels recorded using the visual analogue scales, ESS, and self reported
dizziness assessments will be collected on the fourth postoperative day. These will be
compiled into data sets and analyzed. Data will be compiled into means with lower and upper
quartiles and analyzed using a two-sided t test. The difference in pain levels will be
described throughout the postoperative period to determine if one medication significantly
reduces postoperative pain initially within the first 24 hours, during the interval between
24 hours to four days, and further after surgery (one month postoperatively). Data regarding
levels of somnolence and dizziness will also be reported.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhaseN/A
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionPostoperative Pain
InterventionDrug: Gabapentin
Gabapentin - 300 mg three times a day starting two hours prior to surgery and will continue for a total of four days
Other Names:
NeurontinDrug: pregabalin
50 mg PO TID
Other Names:
Lyrica
Study Arm (s)
  • Experimental: Gabapentin
    Neurontin
  • Experimental: Pregabalin
    Lyrica

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment104
Estimated Completion DateNovember 2012
Estimated Primary Completion DateSeptember 2012
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- 18 years of age or older

- Undergoing PRK in at least one eye

Exclusion Criteria:

- Serious medical problems within the last 6 months including myocardial infarction
(heart attack), congestive heart failure, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary
embolism, and other conditions, etc.

- Serious kidney disease as evidenced by the need for dialysis or kidney transplant.

- History of seizure or other neurologic disorders.

- Patients intending to become pregnant or who are pregnant or nursing over the
projected course of treatment.

- Currently taking gabapentin or pregabalin for other medical purposes.

- Known allergic reaction to gabapentin or pregabalin from previous use.

- Plans to move out of the area within 8 weeks after the surgery.
GenderBoth
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersAccepts Healthy Volunteers
ContactsContact: Julio Narvaez, MD
909-558-2169
narvaezjd@verizon.net
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00954187
Other Study ID Numbers59070
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByLoma Linda University
Study SponsorLoma Linda University
CollaboratorsNot Provided
Investigators Principal Investigator: Julio Narvaez, MD Loma Linda University
Verification DateMarch 2012

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Loma Linda University - Ophthalmology
Loma Linda, California, United States, 92354
Contact: Blen Eshete, MPH(c) | 909-558-2076 | beshete@llu.edu
Principal Investigator: Julio Narvaez, MD
Recruiting