Pregabalin

Generic name: Pregabalin
Drug class: Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs

Usage of Pregabalin

Pregabalin was originally FDA approved in 2004 as an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Pregabalin also affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system.

Pregabalin is used to treat pain caused by fibromyalgia, or nerve pain in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), herpes zoster (post-herpetic neuralgia), or spinal cord injury.

Pregabalin is also used with other medications to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children aged at least 1 month.

Pregabalin side effects

Pregabalin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have: hives or blisters on your skin; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Pregabalin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

weak or shallow breathing;

blue-colored skin, lips, fingers, and toes;

confusion, extreme drowsiness or weakness;

vision problems;

skin sores (if you have diabetes);

easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain (especially if you have diabetes or heart problems); or

unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if you also have fever or don't feel well).

Pregabalin can cause life-threatening breathing problems. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up. Breathing problems may be more likely in older adults or in people with COPD.

If you have diabetes, tell your doctor right away if you have any new sores or other skin problems.

Common side effects of pregabalin may include:

dizziness, drowsiness;

swelling in your hands and feet;

trouble concentrating;

increased appetite;

weight gain;

dry mouth; or

blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Pregabalin

You should not use pregabalin if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

a mood disorder, depression, or suicidal thoughts;

heart problems (especially congestive heart failure);

a bleeding disorder, or low levels of platelets in your blood;

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

diabetes (unless you are taking pregabalin to treat diabetic neuropathy);

drug or alcohol addiction; or

a severe allergic reaction (angioedema).

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Pregabalin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old to treat nerve pain caused by fibromyalgia, diabetes, herpes zoster, or spinal cord injury.

Pregabalin is not approved for seizures in anyone younger than 1 month old.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking pregabalin. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Seizure control is very important during pregnancy, and having a seizure could harm both mother and baby. Do not start or stop taking pregabalin without your doctor's advice, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of pregabalin on the baby.

Pregabalin can decrease sperm count and may affect fertility in men (your ability to have children). In animal studies, pregabalin also caused birth defects in the offspring of males treated with this medicine. However, it is not known whether these effects would occur in humans. Ask your doctor about your risk.

You should not breastfeed while using pregabalin.

Relate drugs

How to use Pregabalin

Take pregabalin exactly as prescribed by your doctor and read all medication guides or instruction sheets about pregabalin. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take pregabalin at the same time each day, with or without food.

Swallow extended-release pregabalin tablets whole and do not crush, chew, or break them.

Measure pregabalin liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided or a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Do not stop using pregabalin suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose for at least 1 week before stopping completely.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you take seizure medication.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

Pregabalin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking pregabalin and seek emergency medical help if you have hives or blisters on your skin, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face, mouth, or throat.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking pregabalin. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

If you have diabetes or heart problems, call your doctor if you have weight gain or swelling in your hands or feet while taking pregabalin.

Do not stop using pregabalin suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms.

What other drugs will affect Pregabalin

Using pregabalin with other drugs that slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, cold or allergy medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

oral diabetes medicine--pioglitazone, rosiglitazone; or

an ACE inhibitor--Benazepril, Captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect pregabalin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.