The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy
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Am J Geriatr Pharmacother · Sep 2004
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyGabapentin: a pooled analysis of adverse events from three clinical trials in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.
Gabapentin has been shown to be well tolerated and effective in the management of the pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). It is assumed that adverse events occurring with gabapentin are dose related, their frequency and severity increasing with increasing doses. ⋯ In this pooled analysis of adverse-event data from 3 clinical trials in patients with PHN, the incidence of peripheral edema was increased when gabapentin was titrated to >or=1800 mg/d. Dizziness and somnolence, the other most commonly occurring adverse events, were transient and did not occur more frequently or worsen with titration to >or=1800 mg/d. Based on these findings, it does not appear that safety concerns should limit titration of gabapentin to achieve optimal efficacy.