Pregablin

[Spacecat1]

Hi all.

Used to take lorazepam gp put me on pregablin not sure if they are helping. Went to my fab group Wednesday and a pharmacist came in to talk to us about inhalers and medication. He said if I'm having a bad day I could take pregablin as usual and take lorazepam to help. I did say I also have one low dose of orimorph. Has anyone taken pregablin and lorazepam together.

[Phil40]

I have not heard of pregablin being used before for COPD but I forget lots of stuff every day.

Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, same family as diazepam, Librium etc., and is as such an anti depressant and relaxant; I think it’s the relaxing and calming effect is the relevant effect when one is struggling for breath and extremely anxious.

I believe it is a strong benzo with a longish half life; it hangs around in your system longer than diazepam for example.

I believe doctors are trying to reduce benzodiazepine use as much as possible because ironically it also suppresses the respiratory system if over used, obviously not a great side effect for COPD.

I am not sure of how pregablin and lorazepam interact and will be interested to know what the pregablin does to help. I believe it began life as an epileptic treatment and maybe as an anti depressant in the UK but it is not licensed for that in USA I don’t think,

The Oramorph is also a suppressor of the respiratory system as well as being a very strong pain relief and helps with COPD in small doses.

Be extremely careful with this combination of drugs; I believe that most drug related deaths amongst substance misusers, that is people not prescribed these drugs, is caused by a combination of an opiate e.g. oramorph, which is related to heroin (the clue is in the morph for morphine) and benzodiazepines such as lorazepam or diazepam.

I am not trying to be scary about this, used as prescribed you must be fine or the doctor would not prescribe, but I would recommend that you are very careful and stick to the doses prescribed.

There is also the risks around physical dependence for opiates, (unlikely in really small doses) and dependence on benzodiazepines is nasty to get off if over used, again unlikely in small doses.

I am sorry I started writing that now, sounds terrible! Sorry 😐

Anyone know about the Pregablin?

Interesting how, for example pregablin, a drug can be licensed in one country for one thing and something different in another country.

I read once that the drug amitriptyline was introduced as a TB treatment but doctors noticed patients seemed happier taking it so agracadabra it became an antidepressant.

Please correct or point out anything I may have got wrong there. It’s been a while since I worked around all this.

[Spacecat1 in reply to Phil40]

Was on larazopam for about 2 years hospital putbme on then.but anxiety attacks got worse especially when going out so gp added in on a very small dose which was fine with me the orimorph I only take if needed when I feel going in to a situation like big groups find it difficult so orimorph does help. The lorazepam I felt not working so gp has put me on pregablin to help with anxiety they seem to be helping only been on them a month my hubby says I'm a lot calmer but I would never go over prescribed dose. If I felt that they are doing nothing for me I will go back to my gp. I will mention to gp what pharmacist said about being ok to take both. Which at the time I thought odd. Thank you for your advice phil40

[Izb1 in reply to Phil40]

Hi Phil, very informative advice. I think you are right that mixing drugs like these should be done with care. I will add that amtripityline is now prescribed for people with rheumatoid arthritis as it helps the muscles to relax, my doctor sometimes gives me these when I have a flare up to help me sleep x

[Phil40 in reply to Izb1]

Thanks for reading my attempt at remembering stuff but just wanted to reiterate please do not take anything I have written as absolutely correct without checking.

I used to work around pharmacology matters but have not done for several years now so I am informed by memory and the personal experiences of sorting out care for my Mum who lives with COPD.

But it would seem to me much the same as I remember.

I guess I am just saying don’t stop or start or change anything treatment wise because of anything I have written.

I know no one would it’s just early and I cannot remember what I have written and it looks really long to read again.

A good day to all; may your breaths be deep and O2 saturation high.

[Spacecat1 in reply to Phil40]

But all points taken in. Dont like change in medication so tend to ask a lot of questions and a bit of research before I take them.

[Izb1 in reply to Phil40]

No worries Phil, cant believe how much you have remembered, have difficulty with my name some days ha! X

[Spacecat1 in reply to Phil40]

Put ut down having to be on the ball in my job as a childminder 5 kids at a time kept the old grey matter going. Slowing losing thevplotbnow not able to work lol. Trying to hold on best I can. We all have good days and bad so count myself lucky I'm having good days at the moment x

[Spacecat1 in reply to Phil40]

Like you say things change. I tend to research and speak to gp or consultant whichever prescribed medication.

[Spacecat1 in reply to Spacecat1]

Thank you all for your input and advice