Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

Abstract

Are antiepileptic drugs associated with reduced pain intensity in patients with neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia? In treating diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia compared with placebo, gabapentin and pregabalin are associated with a modest increase in the number of patients experiencing meaningful pain reduction. In treating fibromyalgia, compared with placebo, pregabalin alone is associated with a small increase in the number of patients experiencing meaningful pain reduction. There is insufficient evidence for other antiepileptics.