Comparison of efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside and pregabalin in the treatment of acute non-specific low back pain: an open label randomized prospective study

Authors

  • Jui M. Shah 3rd MBBS Student, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
  • Kamlesh Patel Department of Pharmacology, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
  • Manish R. Shah Department of Orthopaedic, Sheth V.S. Hospital, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, India
  • Devang Rana Department of Pharmacology, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
  • Supriya Malhotra Department of Pharmacology, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20163208

Keywords:

Acute non-specific low back pain, Comparative, Efficacy, Pregabalin, Thiocolchicoside

Abstract

Background: The present study was undertaken to study the efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside, a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant, GABA mimetic drug and pregabalin, an anti-epileptic, GABA mimetic drug in the treatment of acute non-specific low back pain.

Methods: The study was carried out at the orthopaedic outpatient department of our hospital. 80 patients were included during the study period of two months. Out of the 80, 40 were given pregabalin 75 mg 1hs and the rest were given thiocolchicoside 8 mg bd by the prescribing doctor. Patients, aged between 18-60 years having non-radiating low back pain for less than 7 days were selected. The data was collected in a proforma which included the patient’s details and the prescribed drugs. The patients were also given notepads to record adverse effects. On day 1, the pain was measured on visual analogue scale. After a week, follow up was done and decrease in pain was measured on the visual analogue scale.

Results: There was significant difference between pre and post visual analogue scale score in both the groups with a p-value of less than 0.0001. But the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p-value 0.0664). In both the groups, patients did not report any adverse effects. Pregabalin has a slower onset than thiocolchicoside however has better efficacy. In India, where the drug abuse risk is higher, pregabalin is a safer choice as skeletal muscle relaxants (thiocolchicoside) should not be given for more than a week.

Conclusions: Pregabalin has better efficacy in treatment of acute non-specific low back pain as compared to thiocolchicoside.

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Published

2017-01-10

How to Cite

Shah, J. M., Patel, K., Shah, M. R., Rana, D., & Malhotra, S. (2017). Comparison of efficacy and safety of thiocolchicoside and pregabalin in the treatment of acute non-specific low back pain: an open label randomized prospective study. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 5(5), 1733–1738. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20163208

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Original Research Articles