Pregabalin - class C Drug

[Joolsg]

Just read an article in the Guardian talking about changing pregabalin to a class C drug and only allowing it on repeat prescriptions for one month at a time.

There have been a number of deaths particularly when used with opioids, due to respiratory failure

Apparently this is due to overprescription by GPs for pain and anxiety and misuse by patients who increase the dose to enjoy the fuzzy high feeling.

I am on pregabalin and oxycontin and they are giving me relief from RLS during the day and allowing me around 4 hours sleep between 11- 6.

I just hope the change in categorization doesn't stop my doctor prescribing it or I'll be back to square one.

[LotteM]

Hi Jools. Hope you have a wise doctor who is not easily impressed by such actions, but continues to think about the what, why, how and how much of the meds and also keeps on seeing the individual particularities of each patient.

No use worrying yet. If needed, you'll just have to get a refill each month if I understand correctly.

[Joolsg in reply to LotteM]

Thanks Lotte,

You're right and very sensible. I'm jumping the gun I think and should wait and see how doctors respond to the change,

Thanks for the wise words.

Jools

[LotteM in reply to Joolsg]

☺️

In the meantime, would you mind teaching me some English? What means "jumping the gun"?

[Joolsg in reply to LotteM]

Hi Lotte,

It means to do something too quickly before you have thought about it carefully ( the saying is from athletics where runners are disqualified if they start running before the official has fired the starting gun).

Hope that explains my thinking. Are you in the Netherlands Lotte?

[LotteM in reply to Joolsg]

Ah. Thanks Jools for the explanation. Something to add to my vocabulary.

Yes, I am.

[Joolsg in reply to LotteM]

My husband's mother is from Sas Van Gent.

[Retren]

I posted but it disappeared I live in New York and am on tramadol get it written up for 30 days on electric transfer to pharmacy then it is allowed three times before has to be renewed from the doctors office again hope this is useful .

[HilsK]

As per our previous exchange I was until last night on Pregablin increasing dose by 25 mg each week .. Got up to 100mg and last night too 125mg .. 20 mins later Anaphylaxis .. As in tonight's post here, I have had a dry mouth, sore tongue, blurry vision and general discomfort in my chest around 40 mins after taking it from the start but it seemed to settle between increased doses. And then WHAM. Had told GP about 'side effects' but he said it would settle. Not feeling happy to say the least tonight.

[Joolsg in reply to HilsK]

nhs.uk/medicines/pregabalin/

You have had a very rare reaction to pregabalin. It is mentioned in this article.

I suggest you report it via the Yellow Card Scheme.

You should discuss other options with your doctors, including opioids like oxycontin or Targinact. Clonazepam may help but tends to stop working after a while.

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/