Evaluating Gabapentin for Acute Lumbosacral Radiculalgia

Short-term Effectiveness of Gabapentin Versus Placebo in Acute Lumbosacral Radiculalgia by Herniation Disc: a Prospective, Multicentric, Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind Study

Phase 4 Interventional Lille Catholic University · NCT04865042

This study is testing if Gabapentin can help hospitalized patients with severe back pain from a herniated disc feel better compared to a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment144 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLille Catholic University Academic / other
Locations5 sites (Arras and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04865042 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the short-term analgesic effectiveness of Gabapentin compared to a placebo in hospitalized patients suffering from acute lumbosacral radiculalgia due to disc herniation. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Gabapentin or a placebo over a three-day period, with pain levels and treatment tolerance evaluated throughout. The study focuses on patients with moderate to severe pain and confirmed disc herniation, ensuring a targeted approach to pain management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with acute lumbosacral radiculalgia lasting less than three months and moderate to severe pain.

Not a fit: Patients with significant motor deficits, chronic neuropathic pain, or recent lumbar interventions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide an effective pain management option for patients suffering from acute lumbosacral radiculalgia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for Gabapentin in managing neuropathic pain, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years,
* Radiculalgia or lumboradiculalgia less than 3 months (pain of a lower limb systematized to a radicular territory, possibly associated with lumbar pain),
* Inpatient management for a minimum of 72 hours after inclusion,
* Initial radiculalgia VAS ≥ 4 (moderate to severe pain),
* Concordant disc herniation between clinical symptomatology and imaging (CT or MRI) less than 3 months,
* Written consent signed by the patient,
* Affiliation to a social security system
* For women of childbearing age, use of effective contraception

Exclusion Criteria:

* Motor neurological deficit (≤ 3/5) or cauda equina syndrome (emergency surgical indications),
* Chronic neuropathic pain in the lower limb affected by radiculalgia,
* Lumbar infiltration performed within 72 hours prior to inclusion or unable to be performed after 72 hours,
* Patient already on Gabapentin or Pregabalin, or having taken these treatments in the 7 days prior to inclusion
* Contraindication to Gabapentin (Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients: corn starch, talc, yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatin, shellac, propylene glycol, black iron oxide and potassium hydroxide)
* Creatinine clearance \< 30ml/min,
* Hemodialysis patient,
* Body weight \< 50kgs,
* Transplant patient
* Patient under guardianship or curatorship
* Pregnant or breastfeeding woman

Where this trial is running

Arras and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Radiculopathy of Lumbosacral Spine Due to Disc DisorderRadiculalgiaLumbosacral spineDisc herniationGabapentin
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.