Safety and efficacy of gabapentin in management of psychosomatic and sexual symptoms in postmenopausal women: A pilot study

Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of gabapentin in management of psychosexual symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods: Fifty symptomatic postmenopausal females were randomly allocated into two groups; Group I received gabapentin 900 mg/day along with calcium 500 mg and Group II was given only calcium for 6 months and followed-up at 1,3, and 6 months. Data was analyzed in terms of percentage reduction of psychosomatic and sexual symptoms. Change in lipid profile and other blood parameters by the end of study were measured.

Results: Maximum improvement was seen in insomnia (90-98%) in gabapentin group. Improvement in anxiety was noted by 40.5, 49.5, and 53.8% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, in Group I. While in Group II, maximum improvement noted was 18.6, 19.7, and 20% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Similarly for depression, improvement was 40.4,47, and 49.5%at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, in Group I; while it was 15.4, 16.6, and 17% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, in Group II. No significant improvement in vaginal dryness and dyspareunia noted at all follow-ups in either group. Somatic symptoms reduced by 33, 36.8, and 40% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, in Group I compared to 18% improvement at all follow-up in Group II. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was raised in Group I significantly more than Group II. Other blood parameters were comparable in both groups.

Conclusion: Gabapentin can lead to improvement in postmenopausal psychosomatic symptoms, while sexual symptoms show no improvement. Gabapentin can lead to increase in serum LDL, hence, precaution should be taken in patients with deranged lipid profile before starting therapy and it should be monitored during course of therapy. This drug can cause minor side effects like somnolence and dizziness.