PREGABALIN - AN INTRODUCTION TO A DRUG
As an anticonvulsant, pregabalin is primarily used to treat neuropathic pain, epilepsy (seizure episodes), fibromyalgia (musculoskeletal pain), and neuralgia (pain due to damaged/irritated nerves). Nervous pain is characterized by chronic pain due to damaged nerves, which can result from various diseases such as diabetes, shingles (a virus that causes a painful rash), spinal cord injuries, and injuries to tissues, muscles, or joints.
PREGABALIN
Pregabalin, which is used to calm the damaged or overactive nerves in the body that could lead to pain or seizures. Furthermore, it reduces the number of pain signals sent by damaged nerves in the body.
Pregabalin can be taken with or without food with a full glass of water. It is possible that a patient taking Pregabalin might experience symptoms such as dizziness, somnolence (sleepiness/drowsiness), dry mouth, edema (fluid overload with swelling), blurred vision, weight gain, and thinking abnormally (primarily difficulty with concentration/attention). Nonetheless, Pregabalin does not cause side effects for everyone, and some of the unpleasant side effects do not require medical attention.
Pregabalin should not be prescribed to patients with allergies to any of its ingredients. You should consult your physician if you are experiencing symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, drug addiction, chronic pulmonary insufficiency, muscle pain, soreness, or weakness, or kidney, liver, or heart disease. Pregabalin should be used with caution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregabalin has not been established to be safe or effective in children younger than 18 years of age.
Uses of PREGABALIN
- For the treatment of Neuropathic pain (nerve pain)
- In the treatment of Epilepsy (seizures/fits)
- In the treatment of Fibromyalgia (musculoskeletal pain)
Medicinal Benefits
Pregabalin belongs to a group of medications called 'anticonvulsants' that are used to treat neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and epilepsy. The drug works by calming the damaged or overactive nerves in your body that may cause pain or seizures. By doing so, damaged nerves in the body are able to send fewer pain signals to the brain. In general, it is effective in reducing pain caused by chronic conditions, diabetes, trauma, or epilepsy. Pregabalin is used off-label for the treatment of anxiety disorders in order to calm overactive nerve signals.
The following are the directions for use:
Pregabalin should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor as an oral tablet or capsule. In order to maximize absorption, Pregabalin should be taken with food and swallowed whole with a glass of water. Pregabalin tablets or capsules should not be crushed, chewed, or broken. If you are prescribed Pregabalin as an oral solution, shake the bottle well before use and take the medicine with food. Using a measuring cup provided by your doctor, take Pregabalin in the doses prescribed by your physician.
Storage
- Keep the Pregabalin tablets or capsules in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
PREGABALIN Side Effects
Pregabalin may cause side effects such as dizziness, somnolence (sleepiness/drowsiness), dry mouth, oedema (fluid overload with swelling), blurred vision, weight gain, and thinking abnormal (primarily difficulty concentrating). It may not be necessary to seek medical attention for some of the unpleasant side effects caused by Pregabalin.
Precautions and Warnings in Detail
Warnings for drugs
Pregabalin should not be taken if you are known to be allergic to it. If you are experiencing symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, drug addiction, chronic lung diseases, muscle weakness, heart problems, or liver/kidney impairment, you should consult your physician. Pregabalin should be used with caution by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People taking Pregabalin should avoid driving or operating any machinery while taking it. Pregabalin should not be administered to children under 18 years of age due to its lack of safety and effectiveness. The combination of Pregabalin with opioid analgesics or pain relievers such as oxycodone can cause respiratory failure, coma, or even death, so it should be avoided. Please inform your doctor if you are taking any sleeping pills or tranquilizers, as Pregabalin may cause sleepiness, drowsiness and dizziness, affecting your daily activities. If you experience swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, lips, gums, neck, or throat (angioedema), you should consult a doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Pregabalin may interact with Opioid Analgesics like morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, tramadol, codeine and anxiety medications like lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam.
Drug-Food Interaction:
There may be an interaction between pregabalin and alcohol. In order to avoid side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating, you should not consume alcohol while taking Pregabalin.
Drug-Disease Interaction:
Pregabalin should not be taken by anyone who has suicidal thoughts or actions, drug addiction, chronic pulmonary insufficiency, heart problems, or liver or kidney impairment.
Information on safety
ALCOHOL
- Side effects such as dizziness and sleepiness may be exacerbated by the consumption of alcohol.
PREGNANCY
- Pregabalin is a pregnancy category C drug. Consult your physician before taking any action.
- The benefits and potential risks of Pregabalin will be weighed by your physician before it is prescribed.
BREAST FEEDING
- Pregabalin has not yet been established to be safe for breastfeeding mothers.
- Consequently, it should only be prescribed by a physician for breastfeeding women.
- Before prescribing Pregabalin, your doctor will consider the potential benefits and risks.
- It is not recommended to take Pregabalin without consulting your doctor first.
DRIVING
- Using Pregabalin may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Do not drive or operate machinery while you are experiencing these symptoms.
- Occasionally, pregabalin can cause blurred or double vision, so it is advisable to avoid driving while taking the drug.
- If the symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time, you should seek medical attention.
LIVER
- If you are suffering from liver disease or have a history of liver disease, you should take Pregabalin with caution.
- You may need to adjust the dose as directed by your doctor.
KIDNEY
- Pregabalin should be taken with caution if you have a history of kidney disease or conditions.
- You may need to adjust the dose as directed by your physician.
Habit Formation
- Yes
Advice on diet and lifestyle
Consume fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3-rich foods on a regular basis. It is strongly recommended that you avoid fried foods, dairy products with high fat content, pastries, and processed foods since they can exacerbate neuropathic pain and anxiety. Keep your sodium and potassium intake to a minimum.
Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.
Avoid drinking alcohol as it can cause dizziness and drowsiness, as well as toxic effects on the nervous system.
Special Advise
Taking Pregabalin for an extended period of time may result in mental or physical dependence.
Concerns of patients
The Glossary of Diseases and Conditions
Nerve pain (neuropain):
This is a chronic condition caused by damaged or irritated nerves as a result of a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, shingles, spinal cord injury, and injuries to muscles or joints. Nerve pain symptoms include hot, burning, throbbing, shooting, stabbing, sharp, cramping, tingling, numbness, pain, and needles.
Fibromyalgia (musculoskeletal pain):
This is a common and chronic condition that may cause pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, fatigue, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and even mental distress, which can adversely affect one's ability to function physically and socially and their quality of life as a whole.
Epilepsy (fits):
As a result of disturbed nerve cell (neuron) activity in the brain, it causes a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. A seizure can be either generalized or partial. A generalized seizure affects the entire brain, while a partial seizure affects only a portion of the brain. During a seizure, muscles may twitch and spasm uncontrollably. People who suffer from severe seizures may become confused or unconscious as a result. In addition to a high fever, trauma, genetic disorder, a stroke, or a brain injury, there are other possible causes.
FAQs
Q: Pregabalin Capsules: How does it work?
- Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant medication that treats neuropathic pain (neuropathy), musculoskeletal pain (fibromyalgia), and epilepsy (fits).
- Nerve pain (neuropathy) and fibromyalgia (musculoskeletal pain) are treated by blocking the pain center that interferes with pain messages traveling through the brain and spine.
- It prevents epilepsy by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and calming overactive nerves.
Q: Is it possible to gain weight while taking PREGABALIN?
- As Pregabalin increases your appetite, it may cause weight gain.
- You may be able to maintain your weight by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet that is low in calories.
- If you have any further concerns regarding your weight, please consult your doctor.
Is PREGABALIN addictive?
- A long-term use of Pregabalin has been reported to lead to addiction in some people.
- The withdrawal symptoms will occur if this happens.
- If you are concerned that you are becoming physically dependent on Pregabalin, you should consult your physician.
Q: Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking PREGABALIN?
- Alcohol consumption is not recommended since it may worsen side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.
Q: When taking PREGABALIN, can I drive?
- During treatment with Pregabalin, you should not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness or drowsiness.
- Pregabalin can sometimes cause double vision or blurred vision, so it is best to avoid driving in such circumstances.
- Symptoms that persist for a prolonged period of time should be evaluated by a physician.
Q: Is it safe to take PREGABALIN along with painkillers such as tramadol?
- The co-administration of Pregabalin with tramadol is not recommended as it may cause breathing problems, drowsiness, or even lead to coma.
- As a result, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking Pregabalin with opioid analgesics such as oxycodone or any other opioid analgesic.
Q: What are the most common Side Effects happens with Pregabalin?
- When taking Pregabalin for an extended period of time, people may experience dizziness, blurry vision, weight gain, sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, swelling of hands and feet, and dry mouth.
