Gabapentinoids and Acetaminophen as Adjuvants for Managing Postoperative Pain-Gabapentinoids and Acetaminophen as Adjuvants for Managing Postoperative Pain

Gabapentinoids and Acetaminophen as Adjuvants for Managing Postoperative Pain

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The 2022 AANA Journal article examines the utility of non-opiate medications, specifically gabapentinoids and acetaminophen, in managing postoperative pain amidst the U.S. opioid crisis. A systematic review investigated studies from 2008 to 2018, resulting in 14 clinical trials comprising a total of 1,160 patients. These studies primarily used gabapentinoids like pregabalin and gabapentin, and occasionally acetaminophen, assessing their effects on reducing supplemental opioid use and pain intensity.<br /><br />Findings demonstrated pregabalin's effectiveness in nine out of twelve studies, showing superiority in managing postoperative pain and reducing opioid requirements. However, the optimal dosing remains inconclusive, though higher doses correlate with increased adverse effects such as sedation and dizziness. Conversely, gabapentin and acetaminophen alone did not show notable benefits when compared to placebos.<br /><br />The review stresses the importance of incorporating multimodal analgesia, which combines various analgesic classes to improve pain relief while minimizing opioid dependency. Despite gabapentinoids' promise, acetaminophen did not show significant effectiveness as a standalone treatment but may still be used in multimodal approaches due to its established safety profile.<br /><br />Furthermore, the research highlights the necessity for further investigation into the optimal pregabalin dosing regimen. The systematic review adds credibility to pregabalin's use for its analgesic properties while reducing opioid consumption but underlines the need for future studies to fine-tune dosing strategies and evaluate the broader implications of combining these medications with other non-opioid analgesics in postoperative settings. This research aims to inform clinicians and optimize patient care in postoperative pain management without relying on opioids.

Keywords

non-opiate medications

gabapentinoids

acetaminophen

postoperative pain

opioid crisis

pregabalin

gabapentin

multimodal analgesia

systematic review

pain management