Pregabalin

💊 What is Pregabalin used for?

• •Nerve pain (neuropathic pain) caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy in adults
• •Nerve pain that follows healing of shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) in adults
• •Fibromyalgia (pain all over the body) in adults
• •Nerve pain caused by spinal cord injury in adults
• •Partial-onset seizures, used together with other seizure medicines, in people 1 month of age and older

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label says pregabalin is given by mouth, with or without food. The label does not say how often each day a person takes it for a specific condition, so follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. The label also says that when pregabalin is stopped, it should be reduced gradually over at least 1 week rather than stopped suddenly.

Comes as

• •Hard-shell capsules in 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg strengths

⚠️ Pregabalin side effects

🛑 Who should not take Pregabalin, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to pregabalin or any of the ingredients in pregabalin capsules. The label says to see the warning signs of a serious allergic reaction described above if this happens.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
• •Tell your provider if you have breathing problems
• •Tell your provider if you have kidney problems or get kidney dialysis
• •Tell your provider if you have heart problems, including heart failure
• •Tell your provider if you have a bleeding problem or a low blood platelet count
• •Tell your provider if you have ever abused prescription medicines, street drugs, or alcohol
• •Tell your provider if you have ever had angioedema (swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, gums, neck, or throat)
• •Tell your provider if you plan to father a child, or if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• •The label says that pregabalin may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so be careful with driving and other tasks that need full attention until you know how it affects you

🔀 Pregabalin with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Other medicines that can cause severe sleepiness or decreased awareness can increase the risk of serious breathing problems when taken with pregabalin. The label names this risk specifically with these medicines.
• •In studies, pregabalin added to oxycodone, lorazepam, or alcohol (ethanol) caused additive effects on thinking and movement skills, although no important effects on breathing were seen.
• •Use caution when pregabalin is taken with thiazolidinedione antidiabetic medicines, because pregabalin may cause swelling (edema).
• •Medicines associated with angioedema, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, may increase the risk of angioedema in people taking pregabalin.
• •The label says pregabalin is unlikely to interact in a meaningful way with carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or topiramate.

Alcohol and food

Pregabalin capsules can be taken with or without food. The label says that when pregabalin was given with alcohol (ethanol), additive effects on thinking and movement skills were seen. The label also warns that people who have abused alcohol in the past should tell their provider.

🤰 Pregabalin in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says pregabalin may harm an unborn baby. Some observational studies suggest a possible small increase in the rate of overall major birth defects, but no consistent or specific pattern was found. Animal studies showed fetal harm at certain exposure levels. The label says that you and your healthcare provider will decide whether to take pregabalin during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking pregabalin, the label recommends talking with your provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The label says this registry must be done by the patient herself.

Breastfeeding

The label does not say.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store pregabalin capsules at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Short excursions between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit) are permitted.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says the most common reactions reported with an overdose include reduced consciousness, depression or anxiety, confusion, agitation, and restlessness. Seizures and heart block have also been reported. Deaths have been reported with pregabalin overdose alone and with other drugs that depress the central nervous system. There is no specific antidote. The label says treatment may include removing unabsorbed drug by vomiting or stomach washing, protecting the airway, and general supportive care with monitoring of vital signs. If you think someone has taken too much pregabalin, get emergency medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Pregabalin

• How many capsules should I take each day, and how often should I take them?
• What should I do if I start to notice mood changes, new thoughts about suicide, or new or worse depression or anxiety?
• How will you check whether I am having breathing problems or excess sleepiness, especially if I take other medicines that cause sleepiness?
• When is it safe for me to drive or operate machinery while taking pregabalin?
• How should I stop pregabalin safely if I need to, given that the label says it should be reduced gradually over at least 1 week?
• Could pregabalin affect my kidneys, and do I need a dose change because of my kidney function?
• If I become pregnant while taking pregabalin, what should I do next?

❓ Pregabalin: frequently asked questions