Pregabalin Trick, Sound Legit???

[jitters62]

Like so many here, my husband sees relief from his refractory RLS symptoms by taking an opioid. But the Hydrocodone has an almost immediate alerting effect and has caused chronic insomnia. On Jan. 2nd he was written pregabalin in addition to his opioid and is currently at the prescribed 75 mg with limited benefit. Even though he takes it 3 hours after supper he says it's into the wee hours before he begins to feel the least sleepy. Just this morning I found a tip on the Reddit RLS subforum suggesting that cutting tiny slits in the capsules will allow the pregabalin to take effect twice as fast and allow for an earlier bedtime. Sound reasonable? Anybody tried it? We're all ears, as always.

[Joolsg]

The pregabalin pills contain powder in a gelatin capsule. I cut the 25mg pills and take half as powder. I don't notice any difference in speed of action.

But he can try it.

Opioid alerting is a common side effect. If the pregabalin doesn't help after 3 weeks, he could ask for another 25mg and try a higher dose or ask for zoplicone or similar.

[jitters62 in reply to Joolsg]

We'll give it a try and report the result, thank you!

[Nazgolapkhan in reply to Joolsg]

How do you take the powder? Mixed with drink?My hospital's pharmacy only has 150mg capsules. I want to increase my dose to 200mg.

[Joolsg in reply to Nazgolapkhan]

Oh wow. Here in the UK we have 25mg capsules.Very simple to pour on a piece of cut and split.

I just dip my fingertip in water, the pick up the powder and put it straight in my mouth.

If you ever need to reduce pregabalin- you have to do it slowly. So you would ask for a prescription of 25mg or 50mg pills.

[Nazgolapkhan]

Okay thanks.