Pregabalin and High Blood pressure

[glorious-granny]

Has anyone experienced increased blood pressure with pregabalin? I know that hypotension is a potential side effect but hypertension not mentioned. I have read a bunch of people's experiences with their blood pressures going up quite a bit after taking it. I have been taking it for about 1 month at 100mg every night and today, my pressure has been really elevated. I have taken an extra dose of my BP med, but it does not seem to be affecting it. My BP is usually 120/70 and today it has been 140-150/80-84. The only thing that I have changed is I increased my niacin to 750mg from 500 and stopped my 3000mg fish oil (couldn't afford it). I know fish oil can lower blood pressure but it did not seem to lower mine while I was taking it. Also started Iron bisglyciante 100mg every other day.

[ChrisColumbus]

According to the British National Formulary both hypertension and hypotension are 'Uncommon' side effects of pregabalin. I don't know whether hypertension is likely to be one of the side effects that can go away in a few weeks as Sue mentioned a fortnight ago, or whether it could be a continuing problem. SueJohnson ?

(Unfortunately the same source says that hypertension is a 'Common or Very Common' side effect of gabapentin).

[SueJohnson]

You say today your blood pressure is elevated. Is this the first day it is elevated? If so wait a couple days to see if that continues. If so you might want to try switching to gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug except you need to divide the doses, and the side effects are basically the same, some people find that the side effects that bother them on one don't bother them on the other. Multiply the pregabalin amount by 6 to get the correct dose. which would be 600 mg. If your blood pressure is OK and you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. If you take magnesium, even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of the gabapentin as it reduces the absorption of the gabapentin. If you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason.

If you still have elevated blood pressure you need to come off it. You need to do so very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. Reduce by 25 mg if on pregabalin or 100 - 200 mg if on gabapentin every 2 weeks. If you do so you will have no withdrawal effects.

[joebeddall]

Been on pregab.for 2years but getting less comfort and much constipation.Have tried all sorts of med.prescripions .There dosent seem any uodates.

[SueJohnson in reply to joebeddall]

Your doctor won't prescribe a low dose opioid as I had suggested?

[joebeddall in reply to SueJohnson]

Will enquire atmy next appointment.Thanks.