Efficacy Of Gabapentin In Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Non-randomized Trial

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Gabapentin with carbamazepine in Trigeminal Neuralgia. Material/Method: The study was conducted in Agha Khan University Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for four months. 19 patients of TN were collected through purposive convenience sampling. DN4 questionnaire was used to differentiate between Somatic and Neuropathic pain. Numeric Pain Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of pain. Results: Nine patients of Trigeminal Neuralgia refractory to carbamazepine were put on Gabapentin with male to female ratio of 4:5. All showed favorable response on 800-1600 mg Gabapentin on Numeric Pain Rating Scale. All patients were pain free in three weeks with no side effects. There was significant difference between pain response to carbamazepine and Gabapentin at P< .05. Four patients (44%) had pain relief on 900 mg Gabapentin, three (33%) on 1200 mg, one responded on 800 mg and one on 1600 mg. Conclusion: Gabapentin is effective as first line treatment in Trigeminal Neuralgia