Transitioning from morphine to pregabalin

[Jumpey]

Has anyone transitioned from morphine or another opioid to pregabalin? Could you share how you did this please?

[SueJohnson]

Ask your doctor to provide you with a tapering schedule. You can start pregabalin right away unless there is any reason to suspect you will have respiratory depression. Beginning dose is usually 75 mg pregabalin. It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 25 mg pregabalin every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects pregabalin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 200 to 300 mg pregabalin daily." If you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours as it may interfere with the absorption of pregabalin (It does with gabapentin but I am not sure about pregabalin).

[Jumpey in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue.Food for thought.