Negative Study of Pregabalin for HIV-Associated Peripheral Neuropathy

The anticonvulsant pregabalin is effective in reducing the pain associated with diabetes and postherpetic neuralgia. However, it might not be effective for HIV-associated neuropathy, according to data presented at the 2008 International AIDS Conference [Abstract THAB0301]. In a 14-week, industry-sponsored, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, David Simpson and colleagues found that pregabalin and placebo led to similar reductions in the pain associated with HIV-associated neuropathy. At 14 weeks, more than two thirds of the patients in each group reported improvements in their pain levels. Why wasn’t pregabalin shown to be efficacious for HIV-associated neuropathy, as it has been for other neuropathies? Simpson noted that the…