[Efficacy and safety of pregabalin for oxaliplatin- and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy]

This study included patients who were prescribed pregabalin, vitamin B12, amitriptyline, clonazepam, or carbamazepine to improve oxaliplatin(L-OHP)- or paclitaxel(PTX)-induced peripheral neuropathy at Iwate Medical University Hospital between April 2011 and July 2012. The efficacy and safety of pregabalin was evaluated by comparing 27 patients with L-OHP-induced peripheral neuropathy and 28 with PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy prescribed pregabalin(pregabalin group) with 20 patients with L-OHP-induced peripheral neuropathy and 25 with PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy prescribed other drugs(non-pregabalin group). Response was defined as a decrease in neuropathy of at least 1 grade from baseline. The response rates were 40.7% and 10.0% for L-OHP-induced peripheral neuropathy patients and 28.6% and 12.0% for PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy patients in the pregabalin and non-pregabalin groups, respectively. The severity of peripheral neuropathy before and after the administration of pregabalin differed significantly[L-OHP, 1.33±0.48(mean±SD) vs. 1.00±0.78 and PTX, 1.46±0.69 vs. 1.21±0.88]. In 28-37% of patients, pregabalin was associated with adverse events, with drowsiness and dizziness being frequently observed. In conclusion, pregabalin was efficacious in reducing the severity of L-OHP- and PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy.