Introduction:

Over the last 5-10 years the use of anticonvulsants (Neurontin) (Lyrica) to treat low back pain and/or sciatica has increased dramatically. This has occurred despite clinical guidelines that recommend non-pharmacologic interventions rather than the use of stronger analgesics such as opioids and anticonvulsants. (1, 2)

Physicians are increasingly prescribing both gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) for almost any type of pain, according to a perspective published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (3) This is occurring despite the FDA only approving both drugs for postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain due to diabetes or spinal cord injury.