Description

• Neuropathic Pain: It’s widely used to treat nerve pain caused by various conditions, including:
  • Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes)
  • Postherpetic neuralgia (pain after shingles)
  • Pain from spinal cord injury
  • Fibromyalgia (a condition causing widespread muscle pain, stiffness, and tenderness) This type of pain is often described as burning, shooting, stabbing, or tingling.
• Epilepsy: It’s used as an add-on therapy (taken with other medications) to help control partial-onset seizures in adults and children. It helps by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Pregabalin can also be prescribed to treat GAD, a condition characterized by prolonged, excessive anxiety and worry. It works by affecting brain chemicals that contribute to anxiety.

How Pregabalin Works: While its exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, pregabalin is thought to work by binding to a specific part of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the brain and spinal cord. This action reduces the release of certain excitatory neurotransmitters, thereby calming overactive nerves. This calming effect contributes to its ability to reduce pain signals, control seizures, and lessen anxiety.

Common Side Effects: Many side effects of pregabalin are mild and often improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness/sleepiness
• Headaches
• Blurred vision or other changes in eyesight (these are usually temporary)
• Weight gain
• Increased appetite
• Swelling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet (edema)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry mouth

Important Considerations:

• Withdrawal Symptoms: Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly, especially after long-term use. Abruptly stopping can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty sleeping, nausea, sweating, and even seizures. Your doctor will advise you on how to gradually reduce your dose if it needs to be stopped.
• Interactions: Pregabalin can interact with other medications, particularly those that cause drowsiness or slow breathing, like opioids and alcohol. Combining them can increase the risk of serious side effects, including severe breathing problems.
• Suicidal Thoughts: A small number of people taking anticonvulsants like pregabalin have reported thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you experience any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts of harming yourself, contact your doctor immediately.
• Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, severe allergic reactions (e.g., swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat; trouble breathing; skin rash) can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these.