Pregabalin

Description

Pregabalin is used in the treatment of neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage), fibromyalgia (severe muscle pain and tenderness that may occur all over the body), and postherpetic neuralgia (a persistent pain in the areas of the skin where you had shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful rash). It relieves pain by decreasing the release of chemical substances that transfer pain signals from the brain. Pregabalin is also used in the treatment of a certain type of anxiety disorder and epilepsy (abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing fits). Pregabalin shows side effects like dry mouth, swelling in your arms or feet, weight gain, weakness, confusion, and fatigue. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you for a long time or become severe. It may also cause drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking this medicine. Pregabalin in oral forms (tablets and capsules) may be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time every day for better results. The dosage and duration of treatment will be determined by your doctor depending on the severity of your condition and the response of your body to this medicine. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may lead to withdrawal symptoms like headache, mood swings, irritation, etc. Pregabalin injection is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Pregabalin is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have kidney or heart problems. It is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as there are no safety and efficacy data established. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Pregabalin

  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Chest tightness
  • Chills
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
  • Unusual tiredness and weakness
  • Blurred vision
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Lack of coordination
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Burning, numbness, tingling in the arms and feet
  • Confusion
  • Weight gain

Uses of Pregabalin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Diabetic Neuropathy
  • Postherpetic Neuralgia
  • Epilepsy
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    Pregabalin has a varying onset time depending on the intended use.
  • Duration of effect
    It is not known how long Pregabalin acts in your body. It may remain in your body for 1-2 days.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid consumption of alcohol if you are taking Pregabalin. It may increase the risk of side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired ability to think. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating machines.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Pregabalin has a low abuse potential with limited physical and psychological dependence.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Pregabalin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Pregabalin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Allergy

Pregabalin is not recommended if you are previously allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Pregabalin is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding

Pregabalin is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings

Kidney disease

Use Pregabalin with caution if you have kidney problems as this medicine is excreted via the urine. Close monitoring of kidney function is recommended while using this medicine. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustment or prescribe an alternative based on your clinical condition.

Suicidal tendencies

Use Pregabalin with caution as it can cause suicidal thoughts. Close monitoring of mood and behaviour is recommended. Inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms.

Driving or operating machines

Use of Pregabalin may increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty in concentrating, etc. Hence, avoid performing activities such as driving or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms

Discontinuation of Pregabalin may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, depression, dizziness, nervousness, etc. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Heart disease

Use Pregabalin with caution if you have heart problems as it causes abnormal heart rhythm which could result in further complications. This medicine may also cause retention of fluid in your body and increase the risk of heart failure. It is more likely to occur in the elderly with compromised heart function. Your doctor will closely monitor the functioning of your heart during treatment with this medicine.

High creatinine kinase levels

Myopathy is a condition in which the muscles do not function properly leading to muscle weakness. Use Pregabalin with caution in such conditions as this medicine may cause an increase in the creatine kinase levels which may worsen your condition.

Other medicines

Pregabalin may interact with other medicines and cause severe side effects. Hence, inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including any herbs and supplements before starting the treatment.

Use in children and adolesecents

Pregabalin is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: Take the missed dose of Pregabalin as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose. Injection: Since Pregabalin is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. In case of an overdose, consult your doctor for further guidance. Injection: Since Pregabalin is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Use of alcohol with pregabalin can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, lack of coordination. It can also cause an impairment in thinking and judgment in some people.

Instructions

Avoid consumption of alcohol if you are taking Pregabalin. It may increase the risk of side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired ability to think. Avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating machines.
Interaction with Medicine

Lorazepam

Buprenorphine

Oxycodone

Propoxyphene

Azatadine

Pioglitazone

Ramipril

Disease interactions

Angioedema

Use Pregabalin with caution if you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the inner layer of the skin). This medicine may further increase the risk of angioedema. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Pregabalin may be taken with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew the tablet or capsule. Take this medicine for the recommended duration. Avoid taking this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Take this medicine at the same time every day for the ease of remembering. Inform your doctor if the symptoms do not improve or if you experience any unwanted effects that persist or worsen. Injection: Pregabalin is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
Pregabalin acts by reducing the action of certain chemical substances in the brain. Thus, it impairs the transmission of pain signals from the brain and relieves pain.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs, Anticonvulsants

Schedule

Schedule H

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - PREGABALIN capsule. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=54e6d137-a495-4b87-b3c2-2f5a0226dd3e>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Pregabalin. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 20 October 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Pregabalin>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Pregabalin Neuraxpharm 50 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 20 October 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10773/smpc#PRODUCTINFO>

Drugs, H., 2021. Pregabalin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605045.html>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/021446s035,022488s013lbl.pdf>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 20 October 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209501s000lbl.pdf>

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Information on this page was last updated on 23 Nov 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.