Gabapentinoids in Neuropathic Pain: Past or Present?

Abstract

Pain is an entity that has accompanied human beings since the beginning of their existence. Neuropathic pain, induced by alterations in the somatosensory system, has its own characteristics and treatment. Gabapentinoids are antiepileptic drugs that show marked similarities to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), one of the main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). Since the discovery of their applicability in the treatment of neuropathic pain, their use in this field has had a steady increase. The most recent scientific evidence on gabapentinoids, however, seems to point to less than desirable efficacy in their use in the treatment of neuropathic pain, with new national guidelines emerging with the switch from pregabalin to second-line treatment in this area. It is therefore important to develop new scientific studies that will shed light on the real role of gabapentinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain and the discovery of new courses of action and alternative therapies that are effective in this area of pain.

Keywords: neuropathic pain, Gabapentin, Pregabalin.