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