Pregabalin Adds No Benefit to Transdermal Buprenorphine in Neuropathic Pain

This phase IV trial provides the first randomized evidence that adding pregabalin to transdermal buprenorphine does not improve refractory peripheral neuropathic pain and may be limited by opioid-related tolerability.

📅 Journal publication: Aug 2026 · Last updated: Oct 7, 2026

buprenorphinepregabalingabapentinoidsopioidsneuropathic painpolyneuropathycombination pharmacotherapyphase IV RCTpain management Pain Management

Background Information

Pregabalin and buprenorphine fail to ease neuropathic pain effectively.

The combination of gabapentinoids, like pregabalin, with opioids such as buprenorphine is often used in treating neuropathic pain, but substantial evidence for their effectiveness is limited. In this study, 38% of patients taking the combination achieved a 30% reduction in pain, compared to 32% with placebo, showing no significant difference (p = 0.942). This trial indicates the combination does not significantly improve pain relief in peripheral neuropathic pain and may not be clinically feasible due to tolerability issues. Combining pregabalin with buprenorphine showed no significant benefit in this trial for neuropathic pain management.

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Authors: Moreira LI, Martins PN, Teixeira MJ, de Andrade DC, Kubota GT

Citation: Moreira LI, Martins PN, Teixeira MJ, et al. The Combination of Buprenorphine and Pregabalin in the Management of Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Phase IV, Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. European journal of pain (London, England). 2026;30(7):e70359. doi:10.1002/ejp.70359

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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