Exploratory Study on the Use of Pregabalin for the Treatment of Taxol Related Arthralgia-Myalgia
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2015-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Paclitaxel is chemotherapeutic agent used in many of the most common anti-cancer regimens.
Its use is frequently associated with moderate to severe muscle and joint pain that may
persist for several days after the treatment. This side effect, known as "Arthralgia-Myalgia
Syndrome, has a significant impact on the quality of life and functional abilities of those
receiving the treatment, and is not alleviated by many of the interventions attempted for
that purpose.
Sporadic reports suggest that a drug called gabapentin may be effective in the management of
this adverse effect. Observations from our practice indicate that pregabalin, which possesses
similar biological activity to that of gabapentin, may also be useful in preventing and
treating paclitaxel associated myalgia - arthralgia.
The current study represents an initial evaluation of the hypothesis that pregabalin may be
beneficial in the management of the symptoms due to the "Arthralgia-Myalgia Syndrome". The
investigation will be carried out in the format of a small scale, randomized, placebo
controlled trial with patients receiving paclitaxel in the course of standard treatment for
breast cancer.