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Lamotrigine for acute and chronic pain
Philip J Wiffen1, Sheena Derry, R Andrew Moore
1UK Cochrane Centre, National Institute for Health Research, Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way, Oxford, UK, OX2 7LG.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 18, 2011
Summary
Lamotrigine is not effective for treating acute or chronic pain, despite its use as an antiepileptic drug. This review found no convincing evidence of efficacy, and skin rash occurred in nearly 10% of participants.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Antiepileptic drugs are used to treat neuropathic pain.
- This review updates evidence on lamotrigine for acute and chronic pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of lamotrigine.
- Investigated lamotrigine for acute and chronic pain treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to January 2011.
- Included studies on adults with acute or chronic pain, assessing pain relief.
- Meta-analysis used a fixed-effect model; NNTs calculated for benefit and harm.
Main Results:
- Twelve RCTs (1511 participants) evaluated lamotrigine for chronic neuropathic pain (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia).
- No studies investigated lamotrigine for acute pain.
- No convincing evidence supports lamotrigine's efficacy for acute or chronic pain at 200-400 mg daily; nearly 10% experienced skin rash.
Conclusions:
- Updated analysis with more participants confirmed lamotrigine's lack of efficacy in chronic pain.
- Lamotrigine is not recommended for pain therapy due to limited evidence and availability of more effective treatments.
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