Efficacy of Combination Therapy With Pregabalin in Addition to NSAIDs in the Treatment of Chronic Low-Back Pain

The efficacy and safety of the association of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs（NSAIDs）and　pregabalin（commonly used to control neuropathic　pain）, compared with the monotherapy of each,　were evaluated for the treatment of chronic low　back pain（CLBP）, a condition known to be due to　neuropathic as well as nociceptive pain mechanisms.　In the present prospective study, 71 patients received　three consecutive 16-week treatment regimes,　randomly assigned: NSAIDs only, pregabalin only,　and NSAIDs plus pregabalin. All patients were assessed　by using a visual analogue scale（VAS,　0-100 mm）. The present study demonstrated that, in　the patients with CLBP treated by combination therapy　of pregabalin in addition to NSAIDs, the mean　VAS reduction ratio was dramatically decreased　compared with each monotherapy at 8, 12, and 16　weeks. That combination therapy was effective in　reducing CLBP. As regards the adverse effects of　each therapy, the frequency of dizziness was higher　in the 　patients treated with pregabalin only and with　the combination treatment with NSAIDs plus pregabalin.　Gastrointestinal adverse effects were recognized　in the NSAID treatment group, although there　was not a significant difference and such adverse effects　were not recognized in Group B and Group C.　In conclusion, it was　emonstrated that combination　therapy is more effective than monotherapy for CLBP,
although the adverse effects of pregabalin, mainly dizziness　and headache, need to be paid attention to.