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WCN: Gabapentin Relieves Spasticity By Richard Robinson Special to DG News LONDON, ENGLAND -- June 24, 2001 -- Gabapentin effectively relieves spasticity, according to the results of this double-blind study, presented Allesandro Formica of the Hospital Senora de Arunzazu in San Sebastian, Spain. There are a range of treatment options for spasticity, Dr. Formica pointed out at the 17th World Congress of Neurology in London, England, but treatment is still difficult in some patients, and new options can be valuable. To test the ability of gabapentin to reduce spasticity, Dr. Formica enrolled 30 patients, and randomized them to either placebo or gabapentin, beginning at 900 mg/day and escalating to 3600 mg/day over the 10-week study. As measured on the Ashworth scale, spasticity was reduced by 25 percent with 2700 mg/day gabapentin versus placebo (p=0.01) and by 36 percent with 3600 mg/day (p=0.002). Of 15 patients with spasms, 100 percent of treated patients and 40 percent of placebo patients showed a greater than 50 percent improvement. No significant effects were seen in several secondary measures, including the passive range of motion. Side effects with gabapentin were mild and similar to placebo, and only one gabapentin patient dropped out due to treatment-related effects. All patients who completed the study elected to continue on open-label drug afterwards. "A number of these patients have now been on this drug for up to three years," Dr. Formica said, "and they continue to benefit from it." The research was supported by Pfizer. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version