pregabalin

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

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.

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

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 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 who are at least 1 month old.

Pregabalin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pregabalin?

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.

How should I take pregabalin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

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

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking pregabalin?

What are the possible side effects of pregabalin?

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.

• 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 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.

What other drugs will affect pregabalin?

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.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pregabalin.