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Pregabalin

About pregabalin

Pregabalin is used to treat epilepsy and anxiety.

It's also taken to treat nerve pain. Nerve pain can be caused by different conditions including diabetes and shingles, or an injury.

Pregabalin works in different ways:

  • in epilepsy it stops seizures by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain
  • with nerve pain it blocks pain by affecting the pain messages travelling through the brain and down the spine
  • in anxiety it stops your brain from releasing the chemicals that make you feel anxious

Pregabalin is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules, tablets, or a liquid that you swallow.

Who can and cannot take pregabalin

Pregabalin is only suitable for adults. It might not be suitable for people older than 65. Do not give it to children under 18.

Pregabalin is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to pregabalin or any other medicine
  • have ever abused or been addicted to a medicine
  • are trying to get pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding
  • are on a controlled sodium diet, or your kidneys do not work well – some brands of pregabalin liquid contain sodium, so speak to your pharmacist or doctor before taking it
  • have any problems that affect your breathing

How and when to take pregabalin

Pregabalin is a prescription medicine. It's important to take it as instructed by your doctor.

The usual dose of pregabalin is between 150mg and 600mg a day, split into 2 or 3 separate doses.

If you are taking pregabalin as a liquid, 2.5ml is usually the same as taking a single 50mg capsule. Always check the label.

How to take it

You can take pregabalin with or without food, but it's best to take it in the same way each day. Try to space your doses evenly through the day.

Swallow pregabalin tablets or capsules whole with a drink of water or juice. Do not chew them.

If you are taking pregabalin as a liquid, it will come with a syringe or spoon to measure your dose. If you do not have a measuring spoon or syringe, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

How long to take it for

If you have epilepsy, it's likely that once your condition is under control you will continue to take pregabalin for many years.

If you're taking pregabalin for nerve pain or anxiety it's likely that once your symptoms have gone you will continue to take it for several months to stop them coming back.

Changes to your dose

To prevent side effects, your doctor will prescribe a low dose to start with and then increase it over a few days.

Once you find a dose that suits you, it will usually then stay the same.

If you forget to take it

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you have epilepsy, it's important to take this medicine regularly. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Taking too much pregabalin may cause unpleasant side effects.

  • you take more than your prescribed dose of pregabalin

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

You take more than your prescribed dose of pregabalin and you:

  • feel sleepy
  • feel confused or agitated
  • have a seizure
  • pass out

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the pregabalin packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you.

Side effects

Like all medicines, pregabalin can cause side effects although not everyone gets them.

These common side effects may happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They are usually mild and go away by themselves.

Keep taking the medicine but tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • headaches
  • feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy
  • diarrhoea
  • mood changes
  • feeling sick
  • swollen hands, arms, legs and feet
  • blurred vision
  • difficulties with getting an erection
  • weight gain – because pregabalin can make you feel hungry
  • memory problems

If you have diabetes, pregabalin can upset your blood sugar control. Monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks of treatment with pregabalin and adjust your diabetes treatment if you need to. Talk to your doctor or diabetes nurse if you want more advice on what to do.

Serious side effects

Very few people taking pregabalin have serious problems. Call a doctor or contact 111 straight away if you get:

  • thoughts of harming or killing yourself – a small number of people taking pregabalin have had suicidal thoughts, sometimes after only a week of treatment
  • severe dizziness or you pass out
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
  • problems going to the toilet, including blood in your pee, needing to pee more often, or constipation

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to pregabalin.

These are not all the side effects of pregabalin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

How to cope with side effects of pregabalin

What to do about:

  • headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking pregabalin. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
  • feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy – do not drive, cycle or use machinery until you feel better. As your body gets used to pregabalin, these side effects should wear off. If they do not wear off within a week or 2, your doctor may reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that does not work you may need to switch to a different medicine.
  • diarrhoea – drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
  • mood changes – if you feel this medicine is causing mood changes, speak to your doctor as you may need a change of medicine.
  • feeling sick – take pregabalin with or after a meal or snack to ease your symptoms. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food.
  • swollen hands, arms, legs and feet – if your feet are swollen, try sitting with your feet up on a chair or bed and try not to stand for a long time. Exercise might help if your arms are swollen. If that does not help or it becomes painful, contact your doctor.
  • blurred vision – do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery while this is happening. If it lasts for more than a day or 2 speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment.
  • difficulties with getting an erection – speak to your doctor, as they may be able to change your medicine or offer other treatments that might help with this problem.
  • weight gain – pregabalin can make you hungrier so it can be quite a challenge to stop yourself putting on weight. Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you're hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods. Increasing your level of exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.
  • memory problems – if you're having problems with your memory, speak to your doctor. They may want to try a different medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Taking pregabalin during pregnancy may slightly increase the chance of birth defects in the baby.

You'll usually only be advised to take it if your doctor thinks the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks.

If you take pregabalin and become pregnant, do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first. If you take pregabalin for epilepsy, it is particularly important that this is well treated during pregnancy, as seizures can harm you and your baby.

It's recommended to use effective contraception while taking pregabalin. If you plan to get pregnant, talk to your doctor first, as they may want to review your treatment.

If you're trying to get pregnant or have become pregnant while taking pregabalin, it is recommended to take high dose folic acid (5mg a day). You can get this from your doctor or midwife.

Ideally, you'll take high dose folic acid for 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Do not worry if you have not taken it before you get pregnant, but start taking it as soon as possible once you know that you are pregnant. It helps your baby to grow normally.

If you take pregabalin around the time of giving birth, your baby may need extra monitoring for a few days after they're born. This is because they may have pregabalin withdrawal symptoms.

Pregabalin and breastfeeding

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take pregabalin while breastfeeding. It's important to keep taking pregabalin to keep you well.

Pregabalin passes into breast milk in small amounts, and it's unlikely to cause side effects in your baby.

If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, as other medicines we know more about might be better while you're breastfeeding, but they will help you decide.

If your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

Cautions with other medicines

Pregabalin can usually be taken safely with other medicines.

For safety, tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking pregabalin:

  • strong painkillers such as morphine
  • medicines that make you feel sleepy or dizzy – pregabalin can make these side effects worse

There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements with pregabalin.

However there's not enough information to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are always safe to take with pregabalin. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

Related links

Epilepsy — Link to Related Condition

Generalised anxiety disorder in adults — Link to Related Condition

Diabetes — Link to Related Condition

Peripheral neuropathy — Link to Related Condition

Post-herpetic neuralgia — Link to Related Condition

HealthUnlocked: pregabalin forum — Link to Useful Resource

Anxiety UK: charity — Link to Useful Resource

British Pain Society: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Diabetes UK: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Epilepsy Action: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Shingles Support Society: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Healthtalk: videos of real stories about epilepsy — Link to Useful Resource

Healthtalk: videos of real stories about epilepsy in young people — Link to Useful Resource

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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1,910 public posts

Pregabalin and silent migraines

I'm wondering if the pregabalin for RLS is causing the silent migraines. They started a couple months after starting the pregabalin. I know the pregabalin causes blurred vision, but not sure if it causes an aura like an aura with a migraine.
I'm wondering if the pregabalin for RLS is causing the silent migraines. They started a couple months after starting the pregabalin. I know the pregabalin causes blurred vision, but not sure if it causes an aura like an aura with a migraine.
charlie1234567890 profile image
charlie1234567890
in Restless Legs Syndrome
25 days ago

pregabalin

does anyone find that pregabalin causes among others balance problems and dizziness? Since increasing my dosage to 200 mg my problem has got worse sometimes when I walk down the street people must think I’m drunk!! I stagger from side to side!
does anyone find that pregabalin causes among others balance problems and dizziness? Since increasing my dosage to 200 mg my problem has got worse sometimes when I walk down the street people must think I’m drunk!! I stagger from side to side!
Hoochybaby profile image
Hoochybaby
in Restless Legs Syndrome
25 days ago

Pregabalin

Was sent an email asking if I had any advice about taking Pregabalin for RLS. Sadly, although I've been taking it now for a few years I struggle with it. To be fair at first it worked like a dream but after a while although things were better and still are to a degree but I still struggle with it.
Was sent an email asking if I had any advice about taking Pregabalin for RLS. Sadly, although I've been taking it now for a few years I struggle with it. To be fair at first it worked like a dream but after a while although things were better and still are to a degree but I still struggle with it.
Marilynn profile image
Marilynn
in Restless Legs Syndrome
28 days ago
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20 consecutive nights without ropinerole and have extreme agitation in the evening…

My doctor is prescribing 350 mg pregabalin and that does the trick for me now. After 15 days without ropinerole, I began increasing the pregabalin from 200 mg until I got to an amount that works and that’s the 350.
My doctor is prescribing 350 mg pregabalin and that does the trick for me now. After 15 days without ropinerole, I began increasing the pregabalin from 200 mg until I got to an amount that works and that’s the 350.
Abby2525 profile image
Abby2525
in Restless Legs Syndrome
2 months ago

Pregabalin vs. gabapentin

Am I correct that pregabalin can be taken in one dose? What would be the pregabalin equivalent to 1800 mgs of gabapentin? And can I make the switch without weaning myself off gabapentin even if I have been taking it for so long? Thanks.
Am I correct that pregabalin can be taken in one dose? What would be the pregabalin equivalent to 1800 mgs of gabapentin? And can I make the switch without weaning myself off gabapentin even if I have been taking it for so long? Thanks.
Whippetmama profile image
Whippetmama
in Restless Legs Syndrome
20 days ago

Gabapentin to pregabalin

Now I would like to switch to pregabalin. I would like to switch to pregabalin because it's less expensive. Since I have been taking it for so long, do I need to taper first or can I do a direct switch? And is there a formula for converting gabapentin dose to pregabalin?
Now I would like to switch to pregabalin. I would like to switch to pregabalin because it's less expensive. Since I have been taking it for so long, do I need to taper first or can I do a direct switch? And is there a formula for converting gabapentin dose to pregabalin?
Whippetmama profile image
Whippetmama
in Restless Legs Syndrome
3 months ago

Frustration with Pregabalin

In the meantime, since around July (after having been on Ropinirole for 15 years), I moved to taking 300mg Pregabalin of an evening ... which I then have to top up with 0.125mg of Ropinirole (Pregabalin on its own was just not effective).
In the meantime, since around July (after having been on Ropinirole for 15 years), I moved to taking 300mg Pregabalin of an evening ... which I then have to top up with 0.125mg of Ropinirole (Pregabalin on its own was just not effective).
67Waterman profile image
67Waterman
in Restless Legs Syndrome
2 months ago

Treatment of RLS with Pramipexole

My consultant prescribed Ropinirole but after reading adverse comments about it , I told my GP I did not want to take it and I am now taking 300mg of pregabalin twice per day. Unfortunately my symptoms are not improving . My GP has now prescribed Pramipexole along with the pregabalin.
My consultant prescribed Ropinirole but after reading adverse comments about it , I told my GP I did not want to take it and I am now taking 300mg of pregabalin twice per day. Unfortunately my symptoms are not improving . My GP has now prescribed Pramipexole along with the pregabalin.
DonWilliams profile image
DonWilliams
in Restless Legs Syndrome
10 days ago

Pregabalin/ropinirole

So Ropinirole gives me terrible comulsive bahaviour which I daily have to fight but Pregabalin has made me put so much weight on which I really hate and cant afford to as overweight already.
So Ropinirole gives me terrible comulsive bahaviour which I daily have to fight but Pregabalin has made me put so much weight on which I really hate and cant afford to as overweight already.
SilverEvie profile image
SilverEvie
in Restless Legs Syndrome
27 days ago

Pregabalin 75mg

I have recently started taking 75mg of pregabalin per day to try and reduce my RLS. Lately, it got so bad that I honestly felt I had no other options (tried magnesium and iron supplements with no luck).
I have recently started taking 75mg of pregabalin per day to try and reduce my RLS. Lately, it got so bad that I honestly felt I had no other options (tried magnesium and iron supplements with no luck).
Figar profile image
Figar
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 month ago

4x25mgs capsules pregabalin v 100 mgs capsule.

I recently switched to pregabalin capsules 4 x 25mgs at night instead of 1 x 100mgs capsule , in preparation for reducing the dose, and increasing my Rotigotine patch from a 2mgs/24 hours patch to a 3mgs/24hrs patch because of side effects. I also take 25mgs pregabalin each morning.
I recently switched to pregabalin capsules 4 x 25mgs at night instead of 1 x 100mgs capsule , in preparation for reducing the dose, and increasing my Rotigotine patch from a 2mgs/24 hours patch to a 3mgs/24hrs patch because of side effects. I also take 25mgs pregabalin each morning.
Medici profile image
Medici
in Restless Legs Syndrome
15 days ago

methadone and shortness of breath

A not unusual story with augmentation and switching over to pregabalin about 3 years ago- but the pregabalin not being entirely effective for symptoms.
A not unusual story with augmentation and switching over to pregabalin about 3 years ago- but the pregabalin not being entirely effective for symptoms.
KClark68 profile image
KClark68
in Restless Legs Syndrome
9 days ago

Pregabalin + Ropinirole or Opioids

After a recent post from Amrob explaining that they add 0.125mg or 0.25mg Clonazepam to 300 mg Pregabalin when the Pregabalin does not cut ... I do the same with Ropinirole, adding 0.125mg nightly to 300 mg Pregabalin, because I will never get to sleep otherwise .....
After a recent post from Amrob explaining that they add 0.125mg or 0.25mg Clonazepam to 300 mg Pregabalin when the Pregabalin does not cut ... I do the same with Ropinirole, adding 0.125mg nightly to 300 mg Pregabalin, because I will never get to sleep otherwise .....
67Waterman profile image
67Waterman
in Restless Legs Syndrome
3 months ago

Elvanse and Pregabalin

I’ve been taking pregabalin to manage anxiety for a year now. 6 months ago I started treatment for adhd using Elvanse/ Vyvanse and Amfexa. My pregabalin just doesn’t seem to work anymore. The dose is currently 400mg a day.
I’ve been taking pregabalin to manage anxiety for a year now. 6 months ago I started treatment for adhd using Elvanse/ Vyvanse and Amfexa. My pregabalin just doesn’t seem to work anymore. The dose is currently 400mg a day.
Jack120396 profile image
Jack120396
in CHADD's Adult ADHD Support
1 month ago

pregabalin

I was prescribed pregabalin- 50 mg - 3 times a day. Manerva kindly suggested taking the total of 150 mg at night . I’m not sure if Manerva is still on here ? My RLS disappeared. I may have the slight twinge but can honestly say the pregabalin worked .
I was prescribed pregabalin- 50 mg - 3 times a day. Manerva kindly suggested taking the total of 150 mg at night . I’m not sure if Manerva is still on here ? My RLS disappeared. I may have the slight twinge but can honestly say the pregabalin worked .
Esme2007 profile image
Esme2007
in Restless Legs Syndrome
4 months ago

Pregabalin and CNS

Does anyone take pregabalin to stablize their central nervous system? I'm curious to be if it's wirks out.
Does anyone take pregabalin to stablize their central nervous system? I'm curious to be if it's wirks out.
Beater profile image
Beater
in Mental Health Support
1 month ago

Generic Lyrica is used to treat fibromyalgia and Epilepsy

It is the brand name used by Pfizer for the drug Pregabalin. It also treats fibromyalgia patients' broad muscle pain and stiffness. It makes the pain go away by lowering the number of chemicals in the brain that sends pain signals.
It is the brand name used by Pfizer for the drug Pregabalin. It also treats fibromyalgia patients' broad muscle pain and stiffness. It makes the pain go away by lowering the number of chemicals in the brain that sends pain signals.
Lilytaylor profile image
Lilytaylor
in Epilepsy Action
24 days ago

What are neuropathic pain and its treatment

Here are some medications for neuropathic pain treatment: 50mg capsule (Pregabalin 50 mg) is used to treat neuropathic pain, epilepsy, anxiety, and fibromyalgia. It is also used to treat certain types of seizures.
Here are some medications for neuropathic pain treatment: 50mg capsule (Pregabalin 50 mg) is used to treat neuropathic pain, epilepsy, anxiety, and fibromyalgia. It is also used to treat certain types of seizures.
Lilytaylor profile image
Lilytaylor
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 month ago

Ropinirole and Pregablin

I have been reading on here that the first line treatment for restless legs is now gabapentin or pregabalin and to stop Ropinirole all together as augmentation takes place.
I have been reading on here that the first line treatment for restless legs is now gabapentin or pregabalin and to stop Ropinirole all together as augmentation takes place.
jmnw15359 profile image
jmnw15359
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 month ago

Pregabalin Dose Timing

The only RLS medicine that I now am taking is pregabalin (2 x 75 mg, in a single evening dose). I informed the doctor that pregabalin did not relieve my late evening and early morning RLS, and asked what other medicines might be prescribed.
The only RLS medicine that I now am taking is pregabalin (2 x 75 mg, in a single evening dose). I informed the doctor that pregabalin did not relieve my late evening and early morning RLS, and asked what other medicines might be prescribed.
RLSIconoclast profile image
RLSIconoclast
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 month ago
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