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