Table 5 Summary of previous, concomitant and add-on therapy

Pregabalin

Freynhagen 2007 [27]

Anticonvulsants (except pregabalin), Antidepressants

Cannabinoids, Gabapentin, Muscle relaxants, NSAID/COX-2 inhibitor, Opioids

Analgesics, Non-pharmacological treatment

Obermann 2008 [33]

Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Oxcarbazepine

Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine

Sommer 2007 [34]

Cabergoline, Gabapentin, L-DOPA, Pergolide,

Pramipexole, Roprinole, Roprinole + tilidine, Tilidine

Pramipexole + tilidine/naloxone

Pramipexole + fentanyl patch

Ambesh 2008 [24] (A)

Current analgesic treatment regimens, Conventional pain therapies

Amitriptyline

Allen 2005 [26] (A)

Gabapentin

NR

Douglas 2008 [41] (A) [linked to Douglas 2006 [31]]

Tricyclics, Gabapentin

NR

Hanu-Cernat 2005 [32] (A)

Gabapentin, Pregabalin

NR

Stacey 2008 [29] [linked to D'Urso De Cruz 2005; D'Urso De Cruz 2005; Siffert 2005 [42–44]]

Anticonvulsants, Gabapentin, NSAIDs/Cox IIs, Opoid analgesics, Pregabalin, SSRI, SNRI, Tramadol, Tricyclics

Tricyclics, Gabapentin

Toth 2007 [30] (A)

Gabapentin

NR

Lidocaine plaster

Galer 1999 [22]

Unclear; enriched enrolment design-patients either were treated with the lidocaine plaster and requested open-label use, or were refractory to previous treatment, although type of previous treatment was unclear.

Acetaminophen, Opiates, NSAIDs, Tricyclics

Hines 2002 [21]

Hydrocodone/acetaminophen, NSAIDs, Sertraline, Diazepam, Rofecoxib, Oxycodone, Progesterone therapy, Gabapentin, Atenolol, Ibuprofen, Opioid analgesics, Clonidine, Citalopram, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Cyclobenzaprine, Hormone replacement therapy, Hydrocodone, Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline, Venlafaxine, Buspirone

Tramadol, Sustained-release diltiazem, Hormone replacement therapy, Triamterene, Amitriptyline, Sertraline, Diazepam, Rofecoxib

Oxycodone controlled-release tablets, Tizanidine, Progesterone therapy, Verapamil, Clonidine, Baclofen

Venlafaxine, Gabapentin

Devers 2000 [28]

Anticonvulsants, Eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics, Lidocaine, Mexiletine, Opoids, Prilocaine (EMLA) cream, Tricyclics

Amitriptyline, Acetamenophen, Carbamazepine, Fentanyl patch, Gabapentin, Hydromorphone, Lamotrigine, Methadone, Nortriptyline, Oxycodone, Paroxetine.

Robert 2005 [25](A)

Combinations of conventional anti-neuropathic drugs:

Anticonvulsants, Free radical scavengers, Ketamine, Opioids, Tricyclics.

NR

Argyra 2005 [35](A)

NR

Lidocaine was tested as an add-on therapy, although other treatments were not reported.

Galer 2004 [20]

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, Non-selective NSAIDs, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Opioids

NR

Galer 2003 [36]

Topical lidocaine plaster

Anticonvulsants, Acetaminophen, Conticosteroids, Opioids, Tricyclics.

Duloxetine

Restivo 2008 [23]

NR

NR