Analgesic Effect of Gabapentin Compared to Tizanidine after Elective Hysterectomy at Shariati Hospital during 2011-2012

Premedication with analgesics prior to surgery leads to reduction in sensitivity and/or blockage of the pain transmission pathway. Gabapentin and Tizanidine are used as premedication drugs. There are limited studies on the effect of Gabapentin as premedication on post-operative pain. Tizanidine compared with Gabapentin has more side effects and a shorter life span. In this study, we compared the analgesic effects of Gabapentin and Tizanidine on pain after elective hysterectomy.
This study was performed on 64 patients (30-60 years old) who were referred to Shariati hospital for elective hysterectomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 32) Group 1, patients who took 300 mg Gabapentin orally one hour prior to surgery and Group 2, patients who took 8 mg of Tizanidine orally one hour prior to surgery. Pain levels were recorded via Visual Analogue Scales prior to intake of drugs and 12 hours after surgery. Furthermore, morphine intakes in the first 12 hours were compared with the intake at the time of patient’s first request for morphine.
There was a significant reduction in the intake dosage of opioid in group 1 in comparison with group 2. The first group requested opioid significantly later than the second group. Both groups had the same level of pain prior to surgery. However, there was significant reduction in pain at 1, 3 and 12 hours after surgery.
Overall, in comparison with Tizanidine, the use of Gabapentin prior to the surgery decreased pain and the need for opioid during and after the surgery.