Topical gabapentin effective in vulvodynia

In women with vulvodynia, topical gabapentin brings significant pain relief, according to study findings published in the September issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Lori A. Boardman, MD, of the Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island in Coventry, RI, and colleagues conducted a retrospective study of 51 patients-including 19 with generalized vulvodynia and 32 with localized vulvodynia-who were treated with 2% to 6% gabapentin between 2001 and 2006.

Of the 35 evaluable women who completed a minimum of 8 weeks' therapy, the researchers found that mean pain scores decreased from 7.26 to 2.49, and that 28 women achieved at least a 50% reduction in pain scores. Among the 20 evaluable women with localized vulvodynia, they also found that 17 reported improved sexual function.

Boardman LA, Cooper AS, Blais LR, et al. Topical gabapentin in the treatment of localized and generalized vulvodynia. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;112:579-585.