Efficacy and tolerability of a fixed dose combination of methylcobalamin and pregabalin in the management of painful neuropathy

Abstract

Pregabalin and Methylcobalamine are both capable reliving the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy but their effectiveness when used in a fixed dose combination still remains a subject of evaluation, especially in the orthopaedic setting. This post marketing surveillance study evaluates efficacy and tolerability of a fixed dose combination of Methylcobalamin 750 μg and Pregabalin 75 mg in the management of the same. The fixed dose combination of was prescribed for 4 weeks to the selected patients at 300 orthopaedic clinics all over India involving 1327 patients. Pain was assessed on a 10 point Numerical Pain Intensity Scale while physicians and patients overall assessment of efficacy and tolerability was done on a four-point scale. Results demonstrated a reduction in the pain which was evidenced by a visual analogue score of 38.87 and 73.99% at second and fourth week respectively. Eighty seven per-cent doctors and 88.11% patients expressed response to therapy as good to excellent. Tolerability was expressed as good to excellent by 81.48% of patients. Adverse events were of mild severity. Thus the fixed dose combination was efficacious and well tolerated in neuropathic pain with minimal adverse effects.