What Does Pregabalin Do?

Pregabalin is a medication that slows the impulses in the brain that cause seizures. It also reduces chemicals in the brain that send pain signals.

This medicine is also used to treat nerve pain in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), herpes zoster (post-herpetic neuralgia), or spinal cord injury.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose or change how often you receive this drug. This can help keep your body from building up too much of this drug in your bloodstream.

If you buy pregabalin, it's important to make sure the pharmacy you choose to use is accredited. If not, the store could be operating illegally and selling substandard or counterfeit medications that pose a danger for you and your family.

What is pregabalin used to treat?

Pregabalin is used to treat nerve pain, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN; the burning, stabbing pain or aches that can last months or years after an attack of shingles). It's also used to relieve neuropathic pain caused by diabetes or spinal cord injury.

PHN is a painful condition that affects your nerves and skin, causing unbearable deep, sharp, stabbing, or burning aches and pains in your arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes.

It's also used to treat fibromyalgia, a long-lasting (chronic) condition that causes pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Over time, pregabalin may build up in your body and cause side effects such as edema (swelling of the body), weight gain, mood changes, tremors, or seizures. If these effects are severe, you should call your doctor immediately.

You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can increase the drowsiness of pregabalin and may make you feel dizzy or unsteady.

What are the side effects of pregabalin?

Pregabalin is a medication that can be used to treat some kinds of nerve pain (also called neuropathy) and epilepsy. It also helps to relieve symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder, if other medicines are not suitable.

To use pregabalin safely and effectively, you need to take it exactly as your doctor has told you. It's usually taken once a day after an evening meal.

You should swallow the tablets whole, not split or chewed. This is to reduce the risk of side effects.

Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase it slowly over a few days. This will give you time to get used to the medicine.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may change the way you take it to reduce its effect on your body. You may need to take a lower dose of pregabalin or switch to a different dosing schedule.

Pregabalin can cause drowsiness and dizziness. These can make it hard to drive or do other things that need your attention. You should stop driving or doing other tasks that require your attention if you experience these side effects.

How should I take pregabalin?

Pregabalin is usually taken by mouth as a tablet or liquid. It will come with a dosing syringe or spoon to measure your dose, so you should always use this.

Take your pregabalin at the same times each day, as directed by your doctor. Do not increase your dose, take it more often or take it for a longer time than you have been told to.

You should also not take any other medicines without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist first. These may affect how well this medicine works.

Some people get mood changes, but they are rare and should disappear as you become used to the medicine. If you feel you are getting mood changes, talk to your doctor.

Drowsiness and dizziness - do not drive a car, cycle or do other dangerous activities until you know how this medicine affects you. They should go away as you become used to this medicine, but if they don't then ask your doctor when you can do these things again.

What should I avoid while taking pregabalin?

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking pregabalin, as it can increase the drowsiness caused by this medicine. It is also important to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly, as this can help to reduce the risk of drowsiness.

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you should tell your doctor before taking pregabalin. It may affect the development of your baby, so it is important to use this medication safely during pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor about taking high dose folic acid before trying to get pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, as this can prevent neural tube defects in babies born to mothers who take pregabalin during pregnancy.

Pregabalin can interact with many drugs, including opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. This can cause drowsiness and other side effects. It is important to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a list of all the medications you take, so they can screen for possible interactions.