Pregabalin

[Tennis52]

Is Pregabalin addictive. Are it’s long term side effects known.

[Hidden]

Pregabalin is "dependency" producing, i.e. it causes physiological changes and creates a need to keep taking it.

This isn't quite the same as "addiction".

The key features of any drug which make it addictive are dependence, tolerance, withdrawals and psychoactivity.

Pregabalin does cause physical dependence, but not necessarily psychological dependence.

Tolerance : the need to increase the dose to get the same effect is not a strong feature of pregabalin.

Withdrawals : these are the effects that can be experienced as a result of stopping. Pregabalin has withdrawal effects, but they're not generslly considered severe. Pregabalin isn't known to cause cravings.

Psychoactivity : This means getting a "high" from the drug. You wouldn't normally think of using pregabalin to get a high. You would have to seriously misuse it!

Although it has some of the features of potentially addictive drugs, it hadn't great potential.

It has quite a list of short and longer term side effects and complications. Some people can't tolerate the side effects, in which case the side effects outweigh the benefits.

Some side effects diminish after a few weeks, but not may not entirely disappear. People who continue you to take it do so because the benefits for their RLS outweigh the side effects. Not everybody has the side effects to the same degree.

Typical side effects include drowsiness, dizziness/balance problems, walking difficulties and blurred or double vision.

Some people gain weight, this side effect apparently doesn't diminish.

Caution has to be taken by people with "central" respiratory problems, e.g. central sleep apnoea (NOT obstructive) or taking respiratory depressant medication, e.g. opioids. This can lead to respiratory depression which is relieved by cessation of pregabalin.

A small number of people report apparently irreversible visual problems e.g. tunnel vision.

Some people have reported cognitive impairment e.g. forgetfullness, finding words etc.

These are the main risks, not currently known to affect the majority, but the drug hasn't been used for that long to know long term consequences or their scale.

[Tennis52 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the detailed reply Manerva.

I was taking 75mg which did not work so I increased to 125 mg . With this dose I go to sleep and promptly wake up after two hours. I get up and do some stretching then go back to sleep for another 4 -41/2hours including switching sides a few times. It seems like this is the new normal for me. Better than no sleep/ disturbed all night ( without the Pregabalin).Until I find something better. I don’t like taking medicines at all. I don’t know if I should reduce to 100 mg. I tried for two nights but sleep was disturbed.

[wantokporo in reply to Tennis52]

Hi,

This is still not a high dose of Pregabalin. 300 mg. is considered max for RLS. Good luck.

[HilsK in reply to Hidden]

Hi Manerva .. as previous exchange .. was started on pregablin .. very successfully as it really helped with augmentation issues, except that I had a some reaction to it .. sore tongue, dry mouth, blurry vision .. but from 125mg last night I had a sudden anaphylactic episode about 15 mins after taking it. VERY scary indeed. On clonazepam as of tonight ... Not happy

[Hidden in reply to HilsK]

Did you call emergency services?

If you had difficulty breathing then it will be unsafe to take it again.

You will need to consult a doctor.

[HilsK in reply to Hidden]

Yes and yes ... told can’t take it again ... spoke to consultant neurologist ... now on Clonazepam as of tonight but have just read the blurb ... so scary ... it’s a benzodoazapine ... it can depress breathing and mood .. after having CV and having asthma it doesn’t feel right ... no discussion no consultation .. even after last night ... they seem to hand these drugs out like smarties.

[HilsK in reply to HilsK]

Should have said GP spoke to consultant neurologist ... they wouldnt speak to me ...

[Hidden in reply to HilsK]

Sorry, we crossed messages.

I still suggest you ask for an opiate, but it sounds as if the neurologist isn't being helpful.

Targinact, which is oxycodone and naloxone is licensed for refractory RLS i.e. where dopamine agonists have failed, so it is possible for a neurologist to prescribe it.

I'm afraid as a last resort you may have to see a private neurologist, but you must be careful who.