Pronunciation: pre-GA-ba-lin
Generic Name: Pregabalin
Brand Name: Lyrica
Pregabalin is used for:
Treating fibromyalgia or nerve pain caused by certain conditions (eg, shingles, diabetic nerve problems). It is also used in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain agent. Exactly how Pregabalin works is not known. It is thought to bind to certain areas in the brain that help reduce seizures, nerve pain, and anxiety.
Do NOT use Pregabalin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Pregabalin
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Pregabalin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Pregabalin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, muscle problems, diabetes, bleeding problems or low platelets, or a history of alcohol or drug abuse
- if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis
- if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts)
- if you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness)
- if you plan to father a child
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pregabalin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril) because the risk of angioedema may be increased
- Benzodiazepines (eg, lorazepam) or narcotic pain medicines (eg, oxycodone) because the risk of drowsiness may be increased
- Thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents (eg, rosiglitazone) because they may increase the risk of Pregabalin's side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pregabalin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Pregabalin:
Use Pregabalin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Pregabalin comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Pregabalin refilled.
- Take Pregabalin by mouth with or without food.
- Take Pregabalin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Pregabalin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- If you miss a dose of Pregabalin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pregabalin.
Important safety information:
- Pregabalin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pregabalin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Pregabalin.
- Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Pregabalin; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Pregabalin may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Pregabalin or change your dose without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking Pregabalin suddenly, you may have headaches, nausea, diarrhea, or trouble sleeping. If you have epilepsy and you stop taking Pregabalin suddenly, you may have seizures more often. If you need to stop taking Pregabalin, your dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least 1 week.
- If you stop taking Pregabalin for any reason, contact your doctor right away. Do not start taking it again unless your doctor tells you to. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- If you develop new or worsening seizures, contact your doctor right away.
- Patients who take Pregabalin may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take Pregabalin closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Pregabalin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Diabetes patients - Monitor your skin closely for any new or unusual sores while you take Pregabalin.
- In animal studies, birth defects were seen in the babies of male animals who were treated with Pregabalin. It is not known if this may also occur in humans. If you are planning to father a child, discuss the possible risks with your doctor.
- Use Pregabalin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Pregabalin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Pregabalin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Pregabalin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Pregabalin.
Possible side effects of Pregabalin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; changes in sexual function; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; gas; headache; increased appetite; lightheadedness; stomach pain; trouble concentrating; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, unusual hoarseness); burning, numbness, or tingling of the hands, feet, or skin; chest pain; confusion; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; inability to control urination; loss of coordination; memory loss; muscle aches, pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if this occurs with a fever or general feeling or discomfort); new or unusual skin sores; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, feeling "high," behavior changes, suicidal thoughts or attempts); new or worsening seizures; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; shortness of breath or wheezing; speaking problems; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; tremor; trouble sleeping; trouble walking; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Pregabalin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Pregabalin:
Store Pregabalin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Pregabalin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Pregabalin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Pregabalin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Pregabalin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Pregabalin resources
- Pregabalin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Pregabalin Dosage
- Pregabalin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Pregabalin Drug Interactions
- Pregabalin Support Group
- 332 Reviews for Pregabalin - Add your own review/rating
- Pregabalin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Pregabalin Monograph (AHFS DI)
- pregabalin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Lyrica Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lyrica Consumer Overview
Compare Pregabalin with other medications
- Diabetic Nerve Damage
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Migraine Prevention
- Neuralgia
- Pain
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Persisting Pain, Shingles
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Spondylolisthesis
- Syringomyelia
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