Pregablin side effects

[Dires]

I have been struggling with nightly RLS for a couple of years, sometimes in the evening too. I have used occasional Zopiclone or Codeine but have resisted using Pregablin because of side effects.

In November 2024, I was prescribed Pregablin for Parsonage Turner syndrome which also helped the RLS. I have continued using the Pregablin with increasing doses to control the leg symptoms. I now take 150mg and may need to escalate further as my symptoms always seem to return a few days after the increase in dose.

My questions are - do the side effects always increase with each increase in dose?

- I am struggling with the drowsiness and the feeling of being in a daze, forgetfulness, and inability to concentrate. Have others found that these side effects are less with Gabapentin?

[SueJohnson]

Yes pregabalin is more likely to lead to drowsiness. I would suggest you 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. 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 within 2 hours for the same reason.

[Dires in reply to SueJohnson]

That was a quick response Sue, thank you. Are there different side effects that I might expect with Gabapentin?

[SueJohnson in reply to Dires]

Everyone is different and you will only find out when you take it, keeping in mind that they may disappear or get less after a few weeks.

[SueJohnson]

No the side effects do not increase with each increase in dose. Some side effects may increase as you get to higher doses.

[amrob123]

The higher the dose, the greater the side effects in general. I have been on several different doses of pregabalin and I have found the side effects to be greater at higher doses, apart from when I first started the drug and felt extremely sleepy in the mornings. I still feel sedated and lethargic throughout the day but just don't have the morning sleepiness.

[Dires in reply to amrob123]

Have you been tempted to try Gabapentin?

[amrob123 in reply to Dires]

No, my son takes it and he feels a bit sleepy on it (he also takes clonidine). Having been on pregabalin 10+ years, my aim is to get off gabapentinoids altogether.

[Dires in reply to amrob123]

Interesting. How are you planning to manage your restless legs without the gabapentinoids?

[amrob123 in reply to Dires]

Hopefully by gut microbiome modulation. But it's not an overnight fix.

[Doped in reply to amrob123]

I'd love to know how you get on with this approach, I've just finished with dopamine agonists and am also thinking of going down the microbiome path

[Carlettejaque]

I've been on Gabapentin for over 5 years. The side effects are pretty much the same as Pregabalin. I'm in a constant state of brain fog and dizziness. I'm on a very high dose though. At 2,000 mg per day split over 3 doses. It doesn't send me to sleep although I do get tired as the day goes on.

[Dires in reply to Carlettejaque]

Thank you. I think gabapentinoids seem to have this effect on most. It seems we have to balance getting a night’s sleep with feeling spaced out all day. What a way to have to live 🤦‍♀️