The Effect of Pregabalin Levels on Pain and Substance P Level Post-Cesarean Section

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Post-operative pain is a very important problem faced by post-operative patients. Antihyperalgesia is caused by the inhibition of the neurotransmitter glutamate and substance P (SP) by pregabalin. This study aimed to compare the effect of preventive administration of 50 mg oral pregabalin and 1 g paracetamol with 75 mg oral pregabalin and 1 g intravenous paracetamol on Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores and SP levels after cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. AIM: The objective of the study was to compare the effect of preventive administration of 50 mg oral pregabalin and 1 g paracetamol with 75 mg oral pregabalin and 1 g intravenous paracetamol on NRS scores and SP levels after cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. METHODS: This study used a double-blind randomized trial design. Samples were selected randomly and consecutively from the entire population that met the inclusion criteria. There were a total of 30 samples. SP levels were measured 2 h before cesarean section. The study drug was administered by mouth with a sip of water 1 h before the expected time of the surgical incision. SP levels were checked at the 4th h (SP 1) and 6th h (SP 2) postoperatively. The assessment of the degree of pain using the NRS was carried out at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h postoperatively. This study used the Mann–Whitney U-test to compare both the levels of SP and NRS between the two groups. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference in the NRS scores between the 50 mg and 75 mg pregabalin groups (p < 0.05). In the 75 mg pregabalin group, the NRS scores were lower than in the 50 mg pregabalin group in patients undergoing CS surgery under spinal anesthesia. There was a significant difference in SP levels between the 50 mg and 75 mg pregabalin groups (p < 0.05). SP levels in the 50 mg pregabalin group increased at 4 h and 6 h postoperatively, while in the 75 mg pregabalin group, it tended to decrease at 4 h and 6 h postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The quiescent and mobile NRS scores in the 75 mg pregabalin group were lower than the 50 mg pregabalin group with a combination of 1 g intravenous paracetamol after SC surgery. SP levels in the 75 mg pregabalin group decreased compared to the 50 mg pregabalin group with a 1 g intravenous paracetamol combination which experienced an increase after CS surgery. Pregabalin 75 mg is recommended for preventive use in CS surgery.