ABSTRACT

Objective:

Pregabalin is one of the standard medications for neuropathic pain. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate pregabalin for bladder pain syndrome (BPS). We prospectively tested pregabalin against amitriptyline for BPS.

Methods:

A total of 57 patients with BPS were enrolled to the study. Patients received amitriptyline or pregabalin, alternatively. Pregabalin dose was increased from 25mg to 150mg during 2 months; amitriptyline dose was increased from 10mg to 30mg during 2 months.

Results:

Three patients in the pregabalin group and 4 in the amitriptyline group did not return to the clinic after the first consultation. Meanwhile, 6 patients in the pregabalin group discontinued drugs due to side effects (for a continuity rate of 77%), while 8 in the amitriptyline group also did so (continuity rate 65%). The change in pain scale preand post-treatment by pregabalin was from 4.81±2.52 to 3.25±2.88, and by amitriptyline was from 4.87±2.45 to 2.2±2.30. The difference between them was not statistically significant􀀀p=0.52􀀀Effects of amitriptyline were statistically better than those of pregabalin in terms of urgency, pollakisuria and pain, as measured by the O’Leary and Sant IC questionnaire. p<0.05

Conclusion:

The efficacy of pregabalin for pain relief may be same as that of amitriptyline. On the other hand, amitriptyline may be effective more than pregabalin for lower urinary symptom of BPS.