English

Abstract

Acute renal colic probably is the most painful event a person can endure and pain relief with minimal side effects is a humane approach. Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug, also used in the treatment of neuropathic pain but it’s efficacy and safety in treating renal colic has not been demonstrated. We studied patients with renal colic to assess the efficacy and safety of single dose of 600 mg oral Gabapentin compared to placebo as an analgesic in renal colic. In this randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial, 100 patients aged 20-40 y/o with renal colic, admitted to Vali Asr hospital of Arak city, Iran, were randomized to receive 0.5 mg/kg of Pethidin hydrochloride  and single-dose of 600 mg Gabapentin (n=50) or Pethidin hydrochloride 0.5 mg/kg and placebo (n=50). Clinical signs and symptoms, abdominal pain intensity (based on visual analog pain score (VAS)) were recorded prior to, and 1,2,3,6 h after drug administration and compared between groups.  The significant pain score reduction was reported in Gabapentin group (p<0.001). Nausea severity score, mean vomiting frequency and additional Pethidin hydrochloride administration after intervention in Gabapentin group was significantly  lower  than placebo group(p<0.001). According to the result of present study, the use of Gabapentin can effectively reduce the pain intensity, nausea, vomiting and the need of analgesics among patients with renal colic.   Key words: Abdominal pain, gabapentin, pain, renal colic.