Prophylactic Pregabalin Treatment Following Spinal Cord Injury

The Effect of Preventional Drug Therapy on Pain Regulation Mechanisms Among Spinal Cord Injury Patients Who Have Yet to Develop Central Pain

Patients arriving to rehabilitation up to 3 months following SCI will be given (study group) or not (control group) Lyrica (75X2). They will be followed for central pain development.

Patients arriving to rehabilitation up to 3 months following SCI will be recruited, if they have not yet developed central pain. Two thirds (the study group) will be treated with Lyrica (Pregabalin75X2) for 3 months. One third (the control group) will not receive preventative treatment. Participants will be followed for central pain development.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Up to 3 months following traumatic or non-traumatic SCL
• Ability to give informed consent and cooperate

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Neurological or other medical conditions that may interfere with sensation
• Neuropathic-like pain before recruitment (described as painful sensation of electric current, burning, numbness, tingling, pricking, or squeezing)
• Being treated with Pregabalin
• Blood creatinine levels >1.2 or creatinine clearance <60
• Sensitivity to lactose