CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03334903Updated Feb 18, 2021Results posted

Gabapentin Regimens and Their Effects on Opioid Consumption

A Phase 4 interventional study of Gabapentin in Knee Osteoarthritis, Knee Pain Chronic and Opioid Use, sponsored by Brigham and Women's Hospital. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-02-18.

Sponsored by Brigham and Women's Hospital · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
77
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the best strategy of administering gabapentin in connection with our current approach to perioperative pain management. We aim to evaluate two different adjunct gabapentin regimens given in the perioperative period, and to identify which manages patient pain more effectively and safely. In this evaluation, we will identify the quantity of patients' opioid consumption, the quality of their pain management, and the frequency and severity of any side effects they might experience.

Patients who are undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) and choose to participate will be randomly assigned to a treatment group using computer-generated randomization. Patients in group 1 (the control group) will receive the standard of care as pertains to gabapentin. This consists of a single 600 mg dose of gabapentin administered to the patient approximately one to two hours before surgery, then a dose of 600 mg each morning during postoperative admission. Patients in Group 2 will receive 600 mg preoperatively, plus an additional postoperative gabapentin regimen: they will take 300 mg of gabapentin every 8 hours for 1 week, then a single nightly dose of 300 mg for another month.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to determine the best strategy of administering gabapentin in connection with our current approach to perioperative pain management. We aim to evaluate two different adjunct gabapentin regimens given in the perioperative period, and to identify which manages patient pain more effectively and safely. In this evaluation, we will identify the quantity of patients' opioid consumption, the quality of their pain management, and the frequency and severity of any side effects they might experience. The target enrollment is 68.

Patients who are undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) at Brigham and Women's Hospital will be informed about the study and asked whether they would like to participate. Upon agreement, a patient will sign his/her consent and will be assigned to a treatment group. Patients in group 1 (the control group) will receive the standard of care as pertains to gabapentin. This consists of a single 600 mg dose of gabapentin administered to the patient approximately one to two hours before surgery, then a dose of 600 mg each morning during postoperative admission. Patients in Group 2 will receive 600 mg preoperatively, plus an additional postoperative gabapentin regimen: they will take 300 mg of gabapentin every 8 hours for 1 week, then a single nightly dose of 300 mg for another month.

Every patient being discharged from the hospital will receive from the nursing staff verbal and written instructions - the latter of which will be either printed or in electronic form - about narcotic medications. The instructions will explain when to use such medications and how to taper off their consumption. Following discharge, patients will take gabapentin as directed by their discharge instructions, and in the process track their opioid consumption on their own in their diaries. They will also document their pain, nausea and satisfaction levels according to the visual analogue scale (VAS). At the first post-operative appointment, patients' levels of opioid use will be verified and compared to the amount recorded in each diary; the actual number of tablets consumed will be compared with the documented amounts and with the prescriptions they received. Patients receiving a new prescription will also receive a matching diary for the total length of opioid treatment, including further directions on how to wean themselves off their medications. Outcome measures will be collected at both post-operative visits, the first occurring 8-10 days after surgery and the second 2-3 months following. Additional data including length of stay, postoperative complications including infection and readmission, Emergency Department visits, and routinely collected postoperative functional outcome measures (PROMs) will be recorded.

The Principal Investigator (PI) will review all drug consumption data and patient-reported outcome measures with the research assistant (RA) on a monthly basis as it is collected. The PI will participate in the collection of outcome data at the first and second postoperative visits. Data which could indicate a potential complication, whether related to the study or not - such as heightened risk of adverse outcomes or non-compliance with the tracking diary - will be addressed by the PI immediately. The PI will determine if the study should be altered in any way or stopped for safety reasons. Reasons for stoppage include a rate of adverse events greater than 10% in either group. Adverse events of primary concern include:

  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Allergic reactions to the opioid medications or gabapentin

All adverse events are recorded in an adverse event log, which will be kept by the RA throughout the study. The PI will review the data on a monthly basis, as well as whenever the RA alerts the PI to any potential adverse event. These checks will help to ensure validity and patient safety. Unanticipated problems will be reported to the PHRC in accordance with PHRC guidelines.

02

Conditions studied

  • Knee Osteoarthritis
  • Knee Pain Chronic
  • Opioid Use
  • Opioid Dependence

Keywords

  • Total Knee Arthroplasty
  • Neurontin
  • Gabapentin
  • Opioid Tapering
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Receiving surgery for total knee replacement (TKR)
  • Opioid naïve
  • Agrees to use tracking diary to monitor opioid consumption

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Over 75 years of age on the date of surgery
  • If female, pregnant
  • Has received investigational articles \< 30 days prior to enrollment or is currently receiving investigational products or devices
  • Chronic pain syndrome
  • Taking chronic narcotics and/or taking more than 10 mg of codeine per day, any amount of Hydrocodone, over 200 mg of tramadol per day, or any other narcotics prescribed for moderate or severe pain
  • Involved in pain clinics for chronic pain, or pain that is not related to the surgical site
  • On long-term gabapentin regimen
  • Taking Lyrica or Gralise
  • Known history of depression or has been treated for depression with medication
  • Has entertained suicidal thoughts and behaviors
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
77 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • No intervention
    Standard of Care

    Standard of care includes one dose of 600 mg gabapentin in the immediate preoperative period (1-2 hours before surgery), then a dose of 600 mg each morning during postoperative admission.

  • Experimental
    Postoperative Gabapentin Regimen

    Single preoperative dose of 600 mg, as described above, plus an additional postoperative regimen. Patients will take 300 mg gabapentin every 8 hours for 1 week after discharge, then a single nightly dose of 300 mg gabapentin for another month.

    Drug: Gabapentin

Interventions

  • DrugGabapentin

    600 mg gabapentin before and after surgery. 300 mg gabapentin for approx. 5 weeks after surgery.

    Also known as: Neurontin

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Opioid Consumption

    Mean opioid consumption, measured in mg of morphine equivalents.

    Time frame: 2-3 months following surgery (total amount measured at second postoperative appointment; means assessed afterwards).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Days Taking Opioids

    Number of days until patients are finished consuming opioid medications after discharge.

    Time frame: 2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).

  2. VAS Score 1: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Resting?"

    Surgical site pain. Scale 0-10, with 0 best and 10 worst

    Time frame: 2-3 months after surgery (at 2nd postoperative appointment)

  3. VAS Score 2: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Moving?"

    Surgical site pain. Scale 0-10, with 0 best and 10 worst.

    Time frame: 2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).

  4. VAS Score 3: "How Well Are You Sleeping?"

    Sleep quality. Scale 0-10 with 0 worst and 10 best.

    Time frame: 2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).

  5. VAS Score 4: "How Bad is Your Nausea?"

    Nausea. Scale 0-10, with 0 best and 10 worst.

    Time frame: 2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).

  6. VAS Score 5: "How Satisfied Are You With Your Pain Management?"

    Satisfaction. Scale 0-10 with 0 worst and 10 best.

    Time frame: 2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).

06

Results

Posted Feb 18, 2021

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
Started3938
Completed3533
Not completed45
Withdrew: Use of medical marijuana - determined ineligible later in study10
Withdrew: Protocol violation13
Withdrew: Surgery postponed10
Withdrew: Adverse event11
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject01

Outcome measures

PrimaryOpioid Consumption

Mean opioid consumption, measured in mg of morphine equivalents.

Time frame:
2-3 months following surgery (total amount measured at second postoperative appointment; means assessed afterwards).
Reported as:
Mean · morphine equivalents
Opioid Consumption
morphine equivalentsStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
Opioid Consumption287.0 ± 227.99281.1 ± 230.31
SecondaryDays Taking Opioids

Number of days until patients are finished consuming opioid medications after discharge.

Time frame:
2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).
Reported as:
Mean · days
Days Taking Opioids
daysStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
Days Taking Opioids14.8 ± 10.6918.7 ± 18.57
SecondaryVAS Score 1: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Resting?"

Surgical site pain. Scale 0-10, with 0 best and 10 worst

Time frame:
2-3 months after surgery (at 2nd postoperative appointment)
Reported as:
Mean · score on 10-point scale
VAS Score 1: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Resting?"
score on 10-point scaleStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
VAS Score 1: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Resting?"2.26 ± 1.362.46 ± 1.57
SecondaryVAS Score 2: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Moving?"

Surgical site pain. Scale 0-10, with 0 best and 10 worst.

Time frame:
2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).
Reported as:
Mean · score on a 10-point scale
VAS Score 2: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Moving?"
score on a 10-point scaleStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
VAS Score 2: "How Much Pain do You Feel in Your Operative Site When Moving?"3.84 ± 1.543.54 ± 1.54
SecondaryVAS Score 3: "How Well Are You Sleeping?"

Sleep quality. Scale 0-10 with 0 worst and 10 best.

Time frame:
2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).
Reported as:
Mean · score on a 10-point scale
VAS Score 3: "How Well Are You Sleeping?"
score on a 10-point scaleStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
VAS Score 3: "How Well Are You Sleeping?"5.73 ± 2.166.38 ± 1.75
SecondaryVAS Score 4: "How Bad is Your Nausea?"

Nausea. Scale 0-10, with 0 best and 10 worst.

Time frame:
2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).
Reported as:
Mean · score on a 10-point scale
VAS Score 4: "How Bad is Your Nausea?"
score on a 10-point scaleStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
VAS Score 4: "How Bad is Your Nausea?"0.36 ± 0.530.17 ± 0.40
SecondaryVAS Score 5: "How Satisfied Are You With Your Pain Management?"

Satisfaction. Scale 0-10 with 0 worst and 10 best.

Time frame:
2-3 months following surgery (measured at second postoperative appointment).
Reported as:
Mean · score on a 10-point scale
VAS Score 5: "How Satisfied Are You With Your Pain Management?"
score on a 10-point scaleStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
VAS Score 5: "How Satisfied Are You With Your Pain Management?"7.83 ± 2.238.48 ± 1.39

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse events collected through study completion, an average of 3 months. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Standard of Care0/39 (0%)0/39 (0%)1/39 (2.6%)
Postoperative Gabapentin Regimen0/38 (0%)0/38 (0%)1/38 (2.6%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventStandard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin Regimen
DizzinessGeneral disorders0/391/38
GI DistressGastrointestinal disorders1/390/38

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Standard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin RegimenTotal
Mean64.6 ± 6.864.2 ± 6.764.4 ± 6.7
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Standard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin RegimenTotal
Female181735
Male171633
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected(Participants)Standard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin RegimenTotal
Count of participants——0
BMI
BMI(kg/m^2)Standard of CarePostoperative Gabapentin RegimenTotal
Mean30.3 ± 4.532.1 ± 5.331.2 ± 5.0
07

Study locations

1 site
  • Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts 02130, United States
08

References and documents

Publications

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  • Ozgencil E, Yalcin S, Tuna H, Yorukoglu D, Kecik Y. Perioperative administration of gabapentin 1,200 mg day-1 and pregabalin 300 mg day-1 for pain following lumbar laminectomy and discectomy: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Singapore Med J. 2011 Dec;52(12):883-9. PubMed 22159931 ↗
  • Rusy LM, Hainsworth KR, Nelson TJ, Czarnecki ML, Tassone JC, Thometz JG, Lyon RM, Berens RJ, Weisman SJ. Gabapentin use in pediatric spinal fusion patients: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2010 May 1;110(5):1393-8. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181d41dc2. PubMed 20418301 ↗
  • Stock CJ, Carpenter L, Ying J, Greene T. Gabapentin versus chlordiazepoxide for outpatient alcohol detoxification treatment. Ann Pharmacother. 2013 Jul-Aug;47(7-8):961-9. doi: 10.1345/aph.1R751. Epub 2013 Jun 18. PubMed 23780805 ↗
  • Mason BJ, Quello S, Goodell V, Shadan F, Kyle M, Begovic A. Gabapentin treatment for alcohol dependence: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Jan;174(1):70-7. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.11950. PubMed 24190578 ↗
  • Leung JG, Hall-Flavin D, Nelson S, Schmidt KA, Schak KM. The role of gabapentin in the management of alcohol withdrawal and dependence. Ann Pharmacother. 2015 Aug;49(8):897-906. doi: 10.1177/1060028015585849. Epub 2015 May 12. PubMed 25969570 ↗
  • Grant MC, Lee H, Page AJ, Hobson D, Wick E, Wu CL. The Effect of Preoperative Gabapentin on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Meta-Analysis. Anesth Analg. 2016 Apr;122(4):976-85. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001120. PubMed 26991615 ↗
  • Misra S, Parthasarathi G, Vilanilam GC. The effect of gabapentin premedication on postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain in patients on preoperative dexamethasone undergoing craniotomy for intracranial tumors. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2013 Oct;25(4):386-91. doi: 10.1097/ANA.0b013e31829327eb. PubMed 23603887 ↗
  • Montazeri K, Kashefi P, Honarmand A. Pre-emptive gabapentin significantly reduces postoperative pain and morphine demand following lower extremity orthopaedic surgery. Singapore Med J. 2007 Aug;48(8):748-51. PubMed 17657384 ↗
  • Rai AS, Khan JS, Dhaliwal J, Busse JW, Choi S, Devereaux PJ, Clarke H. Preoperative pregabalin or gabapentin for acute and chronic postoperative pain among patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2017 Oct;70(10):1317-1328. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.05.054. Epub 2017 Jun 9. PubMed 28751024 ↗
  • Arumugam S, Lau CS, Chamberlain RS. Use of preoperative gabapentin significantly reduces postoperative opioid consumption: a meta-analysis. J Pain Res. 2016 Sep 12;9:631-40. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S112626. eCollection 2016. PubMed 27672340 ↗
  • Hassani V, Pazouki A, Nikoubakht N, Chaichian S, Sayarifard A, Shakib Khankandi A. The effect of gabapentin on reducing pain after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in patients with morbid obesity: a randomized clinical trial. Anesth Pain Med. 2015 Feb 1;5(1):e22372. doi: 10.5812/aapm.22372. eCollection 2015 Feb. PubMed 25789237 ↗
  • Mardani-Kivi M, Mobarakeh MK, Keyhani S, Motlagh KH, Ekhtiari KS. Is gabapentin effective on pain management after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A triple blinded randomized controlled trial. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2013 Sep;1(1):18-22. Epub 2013 Sep 15. PubMed 25207278 ↗
  • Chiu TW, Leung CC, Lau EY, Burd A. Analgesic effects of preoperative gabapentin after tongue reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap. Hong Kong Med J. 2012 Feb;18(1):30-4. PubMed 22302908 ↗
  • Moore A, Costello J, Wieczorek P, Shah V, Taddio A, Carvalho JC. Gabapentin improves postcesarean delivery pain management: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2011 Jan;112(1):167-73. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181fdf5ee. Epub 2010 Nov 16. PubMed 21081764 ↗
  • Menda F, Koner O, Sayin M, Ergenoglu M, Kucukaksu S, Aykac B. Effects of single-dose gabapentin on postoperative pain and morphine consumption after cardiac surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2010 Oct;24(5):808-13. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2009.10.023. Epub 2010 Jan 6. PubMed 20056448 ↗
  • Ture H, Sayin M, Karlikaya G, Bingol CA, Aykac B, Ture U. The analgesic effect of gabapentin as a prophylactic anticonvulsant drug on postcraniotomy pain: a prospective randomized study. Anesth Analg. 2009 Nov;109(5):1625-31. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181b0f18b. Epub 2009 Aug 27. PubMed 19713257 ↗
  • Clivatti J, Sakata RK, Issy AM. Review of the use of gabapentin in the control of postoperative pain. Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2009 Jan-Feb;59(1):87-98. doi: 10.1590/s0034-70942009000100012. English, Portuguese. PubMed 19374220 ↗
  • Pandey CK, Navkar DV, Giri PJ, Raza M, Behari S, Singh RB, Singh U, Singh PK. Evaluation of the optimal preemptive dose of gabapentin for postoperative pain relief after lumbar diskectomy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2005 Apr;17(2):65-8. doi: 10.1097/01.ana.0000151407.62650.51. PubMed 15840990 ↗
  • Dierking G, Duedahl TH, Rasmussen ML, Fomsgaard JS, Moiniche S, Romsing J, Dahl JB. Effects of gabapentin on postoperative morphine consumption and pain after abdominal hysterectomy: a randomized, double-blind trial. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2004 Mar;48(3):322-7. doi: 10.1111/j.0001-5172.2004.0329.x. PubMed 14982565 ↗
  • Ho KY, Gan TJ, Habib AS. Gabapentin and postoperative pain--a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Pain. 2006 Dec 15;126(1-3):91-101. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.06.018. Epub 2006 Jul 18. PubMed 16846695 ↗
  • Ucak A, Onan B, Sen H, Selcuk I, Turan A, Yilmaz AT. The effects of gabapentin on acute and chronic postoperative pain after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2011 Oct;25(5):824-9. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2010.11.017. Epub 2011 Jan 12. PubMed 21232979 ↗
  • Clarke H, Pereira S, Kennedy D, Gilron I, Katz J, Gollish J, Kay J. Gabapentin decreases morphine consumption and improves functional recovery following total knee arthroplasty. Pain Res Manag. 2009 May-Jun;14(3):217-22. doi: 10.1155/2009/930609. PubMed 19547761 ↗
  • Smith RV, Havens JR, Walsh SL. Gabapentin misuse, abuse and diversion: a systematic review. Addiction. 2016 Jul;111(7):1160-74. doi: 10.1111/add.13324. Epub 2016 Mar 18. PubMed 27265421 ↗
  • Menigaux C, Adam F, Guignard B, Sessler DI, Chauvin M. Preoperative gabapentin decreases anxiety and improves early functional recovery from knee surgery. Anesth Analg. 2005 May;100(5):1394-1399. doi: 10.1213/01.ANE.0000152010.74739.B8. PubMed 15845693 ↗

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Mar 20, 2018

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03334903
Lead sponsor
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Responsible party
Wolfgang Fitz, M.D. (Associate Orthopedic Surgeon, Brigham and Women's Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 7, 2017
Start date
May 15, 2018
Primary completion
Apr 24, 2019
Completion
Apr 24, 2019
Results posted
Feb 18, 2021
Last update
Feb 18, 2021

Study contacts

Wolfgang Fitz, M.D.
principal investigator · Brigham and Women's Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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