Can gabapentin ease acute sciatica better than a sugar pill?
NCT ID NCT04865042
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether gabapentin, a nerve pain medication, provides better short-term pain relief than a placebo for people hospitalized with acute sciatica caused by a herniated disc. 144 adults received either gabapentin or placebo on top of their usual pain treatment for three days. Researchers measured pain changes and side effects to see if gabapentin offers an advantage.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Gabapentin
What this could lead to
If it works, this could confirm that adding gabapentin to standard pain relief helps people with acute sciatica feel better faster during a short hospital stay.
What could go wrong
This is a small, short-term study (72 hours) with only 144 participants. Gabapentin may not outperform placebo, and side effects like dizziness or drowsiness are possible.
Disclaimer
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the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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CH Arras-rheumatology
Arras, France
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CH Béthune-rheumatology
Béthune, France
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CH Dunkerque-rheumatology
Dunkirk, France
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CHU Caen-rheumatology
Caen, France
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CHU Rouen-rheumatology
Rouen, France