Lyrica

Generic Name: pregabalin
Other Brand Names: pregabalin

What is pregabalin?

Pregabalin is 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 control seizures and to treat fibromyalgia. It is also used to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) or herpes zoster (post-herpetic neuralgia).

Pregabalin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pregabalin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to pregabalin.

Before using pregabalin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • congestive heart failure;

  • diabetes; or

  • kidney disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use pregabalin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

If a man fathers a child while using this medication, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.

It is not known whether pregabalin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 18 years old.

How should I take pregabalin?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

You may take pregabalin with or without food.

Do not change your dose of pregabalin without your doctor’s advice. Tell your doctor if the medication does not seem to work as well in treating your condition.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using pregabalin after using it over a long period of time. Withdrawal symptoms include headache, sleep problems, nausea, and diarrhea. Do not stop using pregabalin suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

If you are taking pregabalin to prevent seizures, keep taking it even if you feel fine. You may have an increase in seizures if you stop taking pregabalin. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking pregabalin, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.

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

What happens if I miss a dose of pregabalin?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Where can I get more information about pregabalin?
Your pharmacist has information about pregabalin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of pregabalin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness (especially if you also have a fever and feel tired);

  • easy bruising or bleeding; or

  • swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

  • dizziness or drowsiness, anxiety;

  • blurred vision;

  • loss of balance or coordination;

  • problems with memory or concentration;

  • dry mouth;

  • skin rash or itching;

  • constipation, stomach pain;

  • increased appetite; or

  • joint or muscle pain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about pregabalin?

If you are taking pregabalin to prevent seizures, keep taking the medication even if you feel fine. You may have an increase in seizures if you stop taking pregabalin. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

If you stop taking pregabalin suddenly, your seizures may become worse or you may have withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include headache, sleep problems, nausea, and diarrhea. Do not stop using pregabalin suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Do not change your dose of pregabalin without your doctor’s advice. Tell your doctor if the medication does not seem to work as well in treating your condition.

Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking pregabalin, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.

What should I avoid while taking pregabalin?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of pregabalin.

Pregabalin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by pregabalin.

What other drugs will affect pregabalin?

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect pregabalin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of pregabalin?

Seek emergency medical treatment if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a pregabalin overdose are not known.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008