💊 Pregabalin (Pregabalin)
Pregabalin is an oral medicine prescribed for certain types of nerve pain, as add-on therapy for partial-onset seizures, and for fibromyalgia. The dose and schedule are set by your doctor or pharmacist, and it must not be stopped suddenly.
In Arabic: بريجابالين
🏷️ Brand names & manufacturers
Packages shown are US-market (DailyMed). Brands available in Palestine are in the price section below.
Pregabalin Extended Release🏭 ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, INC.
Pregabalin🏭 Solco Healthcare US, LLC
Pregabalin🏭 Indoco Remedies Limited
Pregabalin🏭 Aurobindo Pharma Limited✅ What it is used for
- Neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles)
- Adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury
🧪 Active ingredient
The active ingredient is pregabalin, which binds with high affinity to the alpha2-delta site of voltage-gated calcium channels in central nervous system tissue; this may be involved in its pain-relieving and antiseizure effects, although its mechanism is not fully elucidated.
🌿 Benefits
- Relief of neuropathic pain related to diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury
- Helps control partial-onset seizures as add-on therapy
- Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms
📝 How to use
- Taken by mouth, with or without food
- The dose and number of daily doses are determined by your doctor or pharmacist based on your condition; do not change it yourself
- When stopping, the dose should be reduced gradually over at least 1 week under medical supervision
- Patients with reduced kidney function may need a dose adjustment
💊 Dosage forms
- Capsules: 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg
⚠️ Common side effects
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness (somnolence)
- Dry mouth
- Swelling (edema)
- Blurred vision
- Weight gain
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or paying attention
- Increased weight and increased appetite in children treated for partial-onset seizures
🚨 Serious — seek medical help
- Angioedema: swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, gums, throat or neck, which may cause breathing difficulty and require emergency treatment
- Hypersensitivity reactions: skin redness, blisters, hives, rash, shortness of breath, wheezing
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Increased risk of seizures if stopped abruptly
- Respiratory depression, especially with CNS depressants or underlying respiratory impairment
- Creatine kinase elevations, decreased platelet count, PR interval prolongation, and eye (ophthalmological) effects
⛔ Do not use if
- Known hypersensitivity to pregabalin or any of its components
❗ Warnings & precautions
- Stop the drug immediately and seek medical help if you develop swelling of the throat, face, or tongue, or signs of an allergic reaction
- Antiepileptic drugs, including pregabalin, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior; report any mood or behavior changes to your doctor
- Do not stop suddenly; taper gradually over at least 1 week
- May cause dizziness and somnolence and impair driving or operating machinery
- May cause peripheral edema; use caution with thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents
- Use caution in patients with a previous episode of angioedema or those taking ACE inhibitors
- Dose must be adjusted in patients with reduced kidney function
🔄 Drug interactions
- Oxycodone, lorazepam, and alcohol: additive effects on cognitive and gross motor function were seen when co-administered with pregabalin
- CNS depressants: may increase the risk of respiratory depression
- ACE inhibitors: may increase the risk of angioedema
- Thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents: may increase the risk of peripheral edema
- No pharmacokinetic interactions with carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or topiramate
🤰 Pregnancy
Observational studies suggest a possible small increase in overall major birth defects without a consistent or specific pattern; postmarketing data were insufficient to identify risk. Animal studies showed fetal abnormalities and developmental toxicity at exposures well above the human maximum recommended dose. Extended use with opioids close to delivery may increase the risk of neonatal withdrawal. Pregnant patients are advised to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry (1-888-233-2334). Consult your doctor before use.
🍼 Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with pregabalin.
🧒 Children
Used as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older; the dosing regimen depends on body weight and is determined by the doctor.
👴 Older adults
No specific information for older adults is provided in the label text supplied; the dose must be adjusted if kidney function is reduced.
🌡️ Storage
Store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); excursions permitted between 15–30 °C (59–86 °F). Dispense in a tight container. Keep out of the reach of children.
⏰ Missed dose
The label text provided does not include missed-dose instructions; ask your doctor or pharmacist, and do not double the dose on your own.
🆘 Overdose
Reported effects include reduced consciousness, depression/anxiety, confusional state, agitation and restlessness; seizures, heart block and deaths have also been reported (especially with other CNS depressants). There is no specific antidote. Seek emergency medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
💰 Price & brands in your area
🏛️ Official price in Palestine — Ministry of Health price list:
| Product | Company | Pack | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuromax 50MG CAPSULES Pregabalin 50mg | Jepharm Co. | 14 CAP | 21 ₪ |
| NEURALIC 75MG 14 CAP PREGABALIN | BPC | 14 CAP | 31 ₪ |
| GABAMAX 50mg Pregabalin 50 mg/capsule | Beit Jala | 30 Cap | 35 ₪ |
| NEURALIC 150 MG 14 CAP PREGABALIN | BPC | 14 CAP | 35 ₪ |
| LYRICA 25mg-56CAPS PREGABALIN | Alram Drug Store | 56 CAP | 43 ₪ |
| NEURALIC 300 MG 14 CAP PREGABALIN | BPC | 14 CAP | 45 ₪ |
| PregabalineTeva 75mg Pregabaline 75mg | Teva | 56 TAB | 53 ₪ |
| GABAMAX 75 mg Pregabalin 75 mg/capsule | Beit Jala | 30 CAP | 60 ₪ |
| LYRICA 50mg-56CAPS PREGABALIN | Alram Drug Store | 56 CAP | 74 ₪ |
| PregabalineTeva 150mg Pregabaline 150mg | Teva | 56 TAB | 102 ₪ |
| LYRICA 75mg-56 caps PREGABALIN | Alram Drug Store | 56 CAP | 121 ₪ |
| pregabalin 300 Teva pregabalin 300 mg | Teva | 56 tab | 145 ₪ |
| LYRICA 150mg-56TAB PREGABALIN | Alram Drug Store | 56 CAP | 166 ₪ |
| LYRICA 300mg-56CAPS PREGABALIN | Alram Drug Store | 56 CAP | 197 ₪ |
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Mechanism of action
Pregabalin binds with high affinity to the alpha2-delta auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in CNS tissues, which may be involved in its anti-nociceptive and antiseizure effects. In nerve damage models it reduces calcium-dependent release of pro-nociceptive neurotransmitters. It does not bind directly to GABA-A, GABA-B, or benzodiazepine receptors, nor opiate receptors. Well absorbed orally, peak plasma concentration within 1.5 hours (fasting), elimination half-life about 6 hours, eliminated largely by renal excretion.
Labeled dosing
Adult dosing generally begins at 150 mg/day: DPN pain 50 mg three times daily, maximum 300 mg/day; PHN 150–300 mg/day in 2–3 divided doses, up to 600 mg/day if needed and tolerated; fibromyalgia in 2 divided doses, increase to 300 mg/day within 1 week, maximum 450 mg/day; spinal cord injury pain in 2 divided doses, 300 mg/day within 1 week, maximum 600 mg/day; partial-onset seizures up to 600 mg/day in divided doses (adults and pediatric patients ≥30 kg). Adjust for renal impairment and taper over a minimum of 1 week on discontinuation. The dose is determined by the prescriber.
- Doses above 300 mg/day for DPN are not recommended due to dose-dependent adverse reactions and no evidence of additional benefit
- Monitor patients with concomitant CNS depressants or underlying respiratory impairment for respiratory depression
- Removed by hemodialysis (approximately 50% in 4 hours)
- No specific antidote for overdose; management is supportive
🎓 Key points for students
- Pregabalin is a structural derivative of GABA but does not bind GABA receptors directly
- Binds the alpha2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels
- Negligible metabolism (<2% recovered as metabolites) and no plasma protein binding
- Eliminated mainly unchanged by the kidneys; dose adjustment needed in renal impairment
- Most common adverse effects: dizziness, somnolence, dry mouth, edema
- Abrupt discontinuation may increase seizure risk and cause withdrawal symptoms
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What is pregabalin used for?
It is prescribed for nerve pain related to diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury, as add-on therapy for partial-onset seizures, and for fibromyalgia, as decided by your doctor.
Can I stop taking it suddenly?
No. It must be tapered gradually over at least 1 week under medical supervision, because sudden discontinuation may increase seizure risk and cause withdrawal symptoms.
Does it affect driving?
It may cause dizziness and sleepiness and impair driving or operating machinery, so avoid these activities until you know how it affects you.
Should I take it with food?
It can be taken with or without food.
When should I seek medical help immediately?
If you develop swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, wheezing, hives or rash, or any suicidal thoughts.
⚕️ For education only — not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without advice. Source: official FDA drug label via openFDA (2026-07), simplified. Updated: 2026-11-11.