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Volume 7 Issue 6 (June, 2019)

Original Articles

A comparative evaluation of carbamazepine and gabapentin in patients with idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia
Roohi Sharma, Vinay Sambyal, Brij Mohan Gupta

Background: The cause of TN remains unclear. However, most cases are caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve root within a few millimeters of entry into the pons. The present study was conducted to compare carbamazepine and gabapentin, in patients with idiopathic TN. Materials & Methods: 90 cases of idiopathic TN were divided into 2 groups of 45 each. Group I patients received carbamazepine in the dose range of 400 mg to 1200 mg and group II patients received gabapentin in the dose range of 600 mg to 1800 mg and recalled after 3rd day, 15th day, 1 month and 3 months. The response of the patients to therapeutic effectiveness of drug was decided based on the frequency of attacks, i.e., good response, average response and nonresponsive. Results: Good response was seen among 23 on 3rd day, 25 at 15th day and 28 each at 1 month and 3rd month. Average response was seen in 14, 20, 22 and 22 at 3rd day, 15th day, 1 month and 3rd month. No response was seen in 8 patients on 3rd day. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Good response was obtained with gabapentin, hence can be effectively used as first‑ or second line treatment for idiopathic TN cases. Key words: Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Trigeminal neuralgia.

 
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