Effect of gabapentin on primary trigeminal neuralgia

Objactive To investigate the curative effect and side effects of gabapentin to treat primary trigeminal neuralgia.Metheds One hundred and fifty eight patients with primary trigerrdnal neuralgia were randomly divided into two groups:gabapentin group(78 cases)and carbamazapine group(80 cases).The dose was titrated to pain relief in gabapentin group and maintaned with the dose of 900-1200mg,so as to the carbamazapine group.After one month,the effect of pain relief and side effect were observed.Results The total effective rates were 76.9%and 77.2%respec- tively in gabapentin and carbamazepine groups,which were no statistical difference(P0.05).But the side effects in gabapentin group was lower.Conclusion Gabapentin is an effective medicine to treat the primary trigeminal neuralgia,and its efficacy is similar to earbamazepine.