The comparative preemptive analgesic efficacy of addition of vitamin B complex to gabapentin versus gabapentin alone in women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia: A prospective randomized double-blind study

BACKGROUND: Development of new multimodal analgesic regimens have led to substantial improvement in postoperative pain relief. We designed this study to compare the effect of combined vitamin B complex—gabapentin versus gabapentin alone on postoperative pain in women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight women who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive orally 300 mg gabapentin (group G) or 300 mg of gabapentin plus 2 vitamin B complex (group GB) tablets 30 minutes before surgery. Postoperative pain intensity and total analgesic consumption during 12 hours after surgery, vomiting, and drowsiness during recovery were assessed. RESULTS: The pain intensity in the gabapentin plus vitamin B complex group was lower than gabapentin group during 12 hours after surgery (95% CI: 1.4–2.2; P < .001). Meanwhile, the total analgesic consumption in this group was less than gabapentin alone (95% CI: 1.07–1.24; P = 0.034). The incidence of vomiting in patients who receive combined gabapentin—vitamin B complex group was similar to gabapentin alone (P = .206). The difference of the distribution of the relative frequency of sedation according to Ramsay sedation scores in patients between 2 groups were insignificant (P = .82). All newborns in our study were free of any adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Addition of vitamin B complex to gabapentin reduced intensity of postoperative pain and also the total amount of analgesic consumption within the first 12 hours postoperative following cesarean section.