Gabapentinoids have no analgesic effect on postoperative acute pain
Gabapentinoids, a class of drugs including gabapentin and pregabalin, was originally marketed in the 1990s for use as anticonvulsants and subsequently approved to treat specific chronic neuropathic pain conditions. Over the last decade, the off-label use of gabapentinoids for the control of acute nociceptive or neuropathic pain has drastically increased in several countries, and they are now routinely used for the management of postoperative analgesia to decrease pain and opioid use.
A recent study suggests that use of gabapentinoids does not yield a significant decrease in postoperative acute pain in adults but is associated with higher rates of visual disturbance and dizziness and longer length of hospital stay. The research has been published in the journal ANESTHESIOLOGY on August 2020.
The scientific data supporting the increased use of Gabapentinoids in a perioperative setup are divergent, which may reflect clinical agnosticism rather than new evidence of clinical effectiveness. Recommendations concerning the use of gabapentinoids for the management of postoperative pain are inconsistent. The American Pain Society (Glenview, Illinois) supports the perioperative use of gabapentinoids, while the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (Geneva, Switzerland) does not. Recently, health authorities have raised serious concerns about potential adverse events (risk of abuse and respiratory depression) and net clinical benefit of gabapentinoids. Despite all this, the off-label use of gabapentinoids is still increasing worldwide. Therefore researchers of Canada conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the analgesic effect and adverse events with the perioperative use of gabapentinoids in adult patients.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.