Pregabalin Issues

[Seaview20]

Hi. I started taking Pregabalin about 2 months ago to help with my RLS that I have had for 40 years at varying degrees of severity, but the last 8/9 years have felt unmanageable. Before that I was on Tramadol which calms my legs really well but often leaves me with headache and nausea the next day. I was thrilled with Pregabalin as whilst it wasn't quite as calming on the legs as Tramadol, it was sufficient plus it helped with sleep and didn't give me headache/nausea. However after 4/5 weeks I found myself having health problems with excess mucus in my lungs and that causing a great deal of coughing to the point that a week ago my lungs had become seriously infected and I had to go onto antibiotics to avoid potential pneumonia. Whilst I don't think the Pregabalin caused infection I am 90% sure it caused excess mucus. After stopping it 3 weeks ago, I have tried it on odd occasions and had the joy of good sleep but always accompanied by a day of feeling like I am drowning in mucus. I have two questions. First, has anybody else experienced this? I feel a bit mad. Second, could switching to Gabapentin help me even though it is basically the same drug? Many thanks for any replies, you are a remarkable and life saving community.

[SueJohnson]

It is a rare side effect. Staying well hydrated and using a humidifier can help but in your case I would not take pregabalin.

Yes you can try 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. If 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 nor calcium-rich foods within 2 hours for the same reason.

[Seaview20 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue. I am very grateful for your reply. X

[Joolsg]

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

It seems to be a very rare side effect.

If tramadol worked well for you, you could also consider an alternative opioid.

[Thebarber]

Hello, this is from (UK) gov.com. Pregabalin has been associated with infrequent reports of severe respiratory depression, including some cases without the presence of concomitant opioid medicines. Patients with compromised respiratory function, respiratory or neurological disease, renal impairment; those using concomitant central nervous system (CNS) depressants; and people older than 65 years might be at higher risk of experiencing these events and adjustments in dose or dosing regimen may be necessary.

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