A Pilot Study at a Single-Institution of Pregabalin in the Management of Mucositis Pain in Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation Therapy to the Head and Neck.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients being treated for oropharyngeal cancer with undergoing concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (photons) for a histological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma to the head and neck at the University of Pennsylvania
• Age at least 18 years old
• Treatment entails significant risk for symptomatic mucositis likely to require opioid analgesia, as per the discretion of treating physician/NP
• Subjects are capable of giving informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients anticipated to receive radiation therapy with Protons
• History of hypersensitivity to pregabalin or gabapentin
• History of seizure or currently taking anti-epileptic medication
• Creatinine clearance of less than 30 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault estimate
• Has another painful condition requiring chronic use of opioid analgesic, gabapentin, or pregabalin
• History of serious mood disorder or attempted suicide as determined by patients history and physical and by using theDepression Screening
• Subjects with a score of greater than 10 or those answering #5 with scores greater than a "0" will be deemed ineligible to be enrolled on study
• History of angioedema
• New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure
• Platelets of less than 150 mg/dL or history of thrombocytopenia
• The patient has any uncontrolled intercurrent illness including but not limited to psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance or interfere with their ability to participate