COPD and Pregabalin.

[micox]

Hi. While researching the half life of Pregabalin (very short) I came across this recent important report:

"MHRA/CHM advice: Pregabalin (Lyrica®): reports of severe respiratory depression (February 2021)

A European review of pregabalin safety data identified worldwide reports of severe respiratory depression, in some cases without concomitant opioid treatment. Healthcare professionals are advised to consider whether adjustments in dose or dosing regimen are necessary in patients at higher risk of respiratory depression, including those: with compromised respiratory function, respiratory or neurological disease, or renal impairment; taking other CNS depressants (including opioid-containing medicines);

aged older than 65 years.

Patients should be advised to seek medical help if they experience any trouble breathing or shallow breathing; a noticeable change in breathing may be associated with sleepiness.”

[Lazarus]

V interesting. I may ask for a review.

[Benos123 in reply to Lazarus]

Can you please post the outcome of any review.

[Pennydreadful66]

This gets scarier by the minute, I'm presently in the process of weaning myself off the patches with 2mg for two weeks then 1mg for a month followed by Pregabaline 25mg twice a day = 50mg per day which is supposed to be better as its not a dopamin agonist so wont cause augmentation?

[Benos123]

I came out of hospital just 2.5 weeks ago after replacement hip surgery, with three dodgy looking plastic bags of tablets to last 14 days and one of which was pregabalin.

Luckily I read up on them as I didn't like the spacer feeling from them, and gave them up after two days!