• A Gatti, G Longo, E Sabato, and A F Sabato.
• Ospedale Tor Vergata, Roma, Italia.
• Eur. Neurol. 2011 Jan 1;65(6):317-22.

AimsThis study evaluates the efficacy and tolerability of long-term controlled-release (CR) oxycodone + pregabalin in patients with non-cancer pain, in a real-life setting.MethodsPatients (n = 1,051) with chronic uncontrolled non-cancer pain received CR oxycodone + pregabalin for 1 year. Pain intensity was rated on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) at months 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12.ResultsThroughout the study period, the NRS score decreased significantly (baseline: 7.02 ± 1.26; 12 months: 1.45 ± 0.92; p = 0.00001). Following an initial increase in the mean daily doses of CR oxycodone (starting dose: 12.5 ± 8.4 mg) and pregabalin (starting dose: 121.7 ± 97.2 mg), dose reductions were seen for both drugs with the trend particularly evident for CR oxycodone. 23% of patients withdrew from the study, mainly due to adverse events (67.9% of withdrawn subjects). However, 19.7% of withdrawn patients were removed from the study due to complete relief from chronic pain. The combination was generally well tolerated and there were no reports of addiction.ConclusionThe combination of CR oxycodone + pregabalin could represent a valuable long-term therapeutic addition to existing pharmacological options for the treatment of non-cancer pain.Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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