Publication

Abstract : This is a case report on a 77-year-old diabetic patient with peripheral neuropathy and paresthesias in his feet, for which he was treated with pregabalin. During the therapy, his eosinophil level was high (60.3%). Pregabalin was stopped, and after one month his differential eosinophil had dropped dramatically, to 7.3%. Based on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction scale, it is probable that the eosinophilia was induced by pregabalin, as the Naranjo probability score was calculated to be 8.BACKGROUND: Pregabalin, a structural derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma amino butyric acid, has antiepileptic, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties; therefore, it is used for painful diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain associated with spinal-cord injury and as adjunctive therapy in refractory partial seizures. The common adverse side effects include somnolence, weight gain, dizziness, peripheral edema, abnormal constipation, thirst, and blurring of vision.CASE REPORT: This is a case report on a 77-year-old diabetic patient with peripheral neuropathy and paresthesias in his feet (with a nocturnal preponderance), for which he was treated with pregabalin. During the pregabalin therapy, his eosinophil level was high (60.3%). Pregabalin was stopped, and after one month his differential eosinophil had dropped dramatically, to 7.3%. Based on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction scale, it is probable that the eosinophilia was induced by pregabalin, as the Naranjo probability score was calculated to be 8.CONCLUSION: The incidence of eosinophilia attributable to pregabalin is very rare and warranted discontinuation of the drug.