BACKGROUND: Headache after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is very common and is often described as the "worst headache imaginable." SAH-associated headache can persist for days to weeks and is traditionally treated with narcotics. However, narcotics can have significant adverse effects. We hypothesize that gabapentin (GBP), a non-narcotic neuropathic pain medication, would be safe and tolerable and would reduce narcotic requirements after SAH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data of SAH patients at the neuroscience intensive care unit at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, from January 2011 through February 2013. Headache intensity was quantified by a visual analog scale score. Total opioid use per day was tabulated using an intravenous morphine equivalents scale. Cerebrospinal fluid was also reviewed when available. RESULTS: There were 53 SAH patients who were treated with GBP along with other analgesics for headache. Among these SAH patients, 34 (64 %) were women, with a mean age of 54 years (SD 12.3). Severe headache was observed in all SAH patients. GBP dosing was rapidly escalated within days of SAH up to a median of 1,200 mg/day, with a range of 300 mg three times a day to 900 mg three times a day. Approximately 6 % of patients treated with GBP had nausea (95 % CI 1-16 %), and only one patient (1.8 %) had to discontinue GBP. CONCLUSIONS: GBP appears to be relatively safe and tolerable in SAH patients with headache and may be a useful narcotic-sparing agent to prevent narcotics-associated complications, such as gastrointestinal immobility, ileus, and constipation.
BACKGROUND:Headache after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is very common and is often described as the "worst headache imaginable." SAH-associated headache can persist for days to weeks and is traditionally treated with narcotics. However, narcotics can have significant adverse effects. We hypothesize that gabapentin (GBP), a non-narcotic neuropathic pain medication, would be safe and tolerable and would reduce narcotic requirements after SAH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data of SAHpatients at the neuroscience intensive care unit at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, from January 2011 through February 2013. Headache intensity was quantified by a visual analog scale score. Total opioid use per day was tabulated using an intravenous morphine equivalents scale. Cerebrospinal fluid was also reviewed when available. RESULTS: There were 53 SAHpatients who were treated with GBP along with other analgesics for headache. Among these SAHpatients, 34 (64 %) were women, with a mean age of 54 years (SD 12.3). Severe headache was observed in all SAHpatients. GBP dosing was rapidly escalated within days of SAH up to a median of 1,200 mg/day, with a range of 300 mg three times a day to 900 mg three times a day. Approximately 6 % of patients treated with GBP had nausea (95 % CI 1-16 %), and only one patient (1.8 %) had to discontinue GBP. CONCLUSIONS:GBP appears to be relatively safe and tolerable in SAHpatients with headache and may be a useful narcotic-sparing agent to prevent narcotics-associated complications, such as gastrointestinal immobility, ileus, and constipation.
Authors: Robert W Hurley; Steven P Cohen; Kayode A Williams; Andrew J Rowlingson; Christopher L Wu Journal: Reg Anesth Pain Med Date: 2006 May-Jun Impact factor: 6.288
Authors: Michael N Diringer; Thomas P Bleck; J Claude Hemphill; David Menon; Lori Shutter; Paul Vespa; Nicolas Bruder; E Sander Connolly; Giuseppe Citerio; Daryl Gress; Daniel Hänggi; Brian L Hoh; Giuseppe Lanzino; Peter Le Roux; Alejandro Rabinstein; Erich Schmutzhard; Nino Stocchetti; Jose I Suarez; Miriam Treggiari; Ming-Yuan Tseng; Mervyn D I Vergouwen; Stefan Wolf; Gregory Zipfel Journal: Neurocrit Care Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 3.210
Authors: Juliana Barr; Gilles L Fraser; Kathleen Puntillo; E Wesley Ely; Céline Gélinas; Joseph F Dasta; Judy E Davidson; John W Devlin; John P Kress; Aaron M Joffe; Douglas B Coursin; Daniel L Herr; Avery Tung; Bryce R H Robinson; Dorrie K Fontaine; Michael A Ramsay; Richard R Riker; Curtis N Sessler; Brenda Pun; Yoanna Skrobik; Roman Jaeschke Journal: Crit Care Med Date: 2013-01 Impact factor: 7.598