A UNIVERSITY of Sydney study has demonstrated that gabapentinoids (topiramate, gabapentin or pregabalin) are no more effective than placebo for chronic low back pain in the short term or for lumbar radicular pain in the immediate term.
The systematic review and meta-analysis was published in the Canadian Medical Journal.
Authors say their findings are significant given reports of increasing use of anticonvulsant medicines as prescribers seek alternatives to opioids, with the the prescription of anticonvulsants for back and neck pain, including radicular pain in primary care, having increased by 535% in the last 10 years.
Access the study at cmaj.ca.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 09 Jul 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 09 Jul 18