Successful use of Rectal Pregabalin for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain-a Case Report.

Abstract

Introduction: A 65-year-old female patient could no longer take oral food or medications due to a duodenal occlusion associated with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Her pre-existing chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy had been well treated with pregabalin orally.

Methods: Since only preparations for oral use of pregabalin are available, pregabalin suppositories were compounded by the hospital pharmacy for rectal use in this patient.

Results: With the rectal administration, the treatment was successfully continued; we measured a good increase in serum levels and the symptoms improved significantly.

Discussion: Cancer patients often need to be treated with co-analgesics. At the end of life, treatment often cannot be continued due to lack of other than oral administration. Our case adds to the low evidence of pregabalin administered rectally.