Pregabalin is a prescription medicine used to treat certain types of nerve pain, epilepsy and generalised anxiety disorder. It works by affecting signals within the brain and nervous system and is available in several strengths and formulations.
People searching for information about pregabalin tablets or capsules should understand that the appropriate strength and treatment schedule depend on the condition being treated and individual circumstances. Pregabalin should only be taken when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Important: Pregabalin is a prescription-only controlled medicine in the UK. Take it exactly as prescribed and never increase your dose or use medicine prescribed for somebody else.
What Is Pregabalin?
Pregabalin belongs to a group of medicines known as anticonvulsants. Although originally developed for epilepsy, it is also prescribed for neuropathic pain and generalised anxiety disorder.
For nerve pain, pregabalin changes the way pain messages travel through the brain and nervous system. In epilepsy, it helps reduce abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Pregabalin does not work immediately for everyone. Depending on the reason for treatment, it can take some time before the full benefits become apparent.
What Is Pregabalin Used For?
Pregabalin has several recognised medical uses. It may be prescribed for neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by damage or changes affecting nerves.
Nerve pain can occur with conditions such as diabetes or shingles and may also develop following certain injuries. Patients sometimes describe neuropathic pain as burning, shooting, stabbing or electric-shock-like sensations.
Pregabalin can also be prescribed for epilepsy and generalised anxiety disorder. The way it is used varies depending on the condition, so patients should follow the instructions provided specifically for them.
Pregabalin Strengths
Pregabalin is available in a range of strengths. Standard capsules and tablets include 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 225mg and 300mg strengths.
Slow-release formulations are also available in different strengths and have different dosing instructions from standard preparations.
A higher-strength capsule or tablet is not automatically more appropriate or effective for an individual patient. Doctors may begin treatment at a lower dose and adjust it depending on response, side effects, kidney function and the condition being treated.
Never change between strengths or increase your dose without professional advice.
How Does Pregabalin Work?
Pregabalin reduces the release of certain chemical messengers involved in transmitting signals between nerve cells.
For neuropathic pain, the medication can reduce the transmission of abnormal pain messages through the nervous system. For epilepsy, pregabalin helps reduce abnormal electrical activity associated with seizures.
Its effect on brain signalling is also involved in its use for generalised anxiety disorders.
The medicine manages symptoms rather than necessarily treating the underlying cause. Patients may therefore require other investigations or treatments alongside pregabalin.
How Should Pregabalin Be Taken?
Always take pregabalin according to your prescription. Standard capsules and tablets are swallowed with water and can generally be taken with or without food.
Take your medicine on a regular schedule at the times suggested by your prescriber. If you have been prescribed pregabalin for epilepsy, it is particularly important to take pregabalin regularly, as missing doses can increase your risk of seizures.
Do not take additional capsules or tablets because you feel the medicine is not working quickly enough. Speak to your healthcare professional if symptoms remain troublesome.
How Long Does Pregabalin Take to Work?
Pregabalin does not necessarily provide its full effect after the first dose. The NHS advises that it can take at least a few weeks for pregabalin to work.
The rate at which improvement is seen depends on the condition and the individual response to the treatment.
Continue taking the medicine as prescribed until your healthcare professional tells you to stop. Do not increase the dose yourself because the expected improvement has not occurred immediately.
Pregabalin Side Effects
Like all medicines, pregabalin can cause side effects, although not everybody experiences them.
Commonly reported side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness or tiredness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Swelling of the hands, arms, legs or feet
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Memory difficulties
Some effects may improve as the body adjusts to treatment. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if a side effect is persistent, troublesome or concerning.
Serious reactions are less common. Seek urgent medical assistance for severe allergic reactions, serious breathing problems or other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Pregabalin and Drowsiness
Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy is among the commonly reported effects of pregabalin.
Do not drive, cycle, operate machinery or undertake activities requiring full concentration if you feel sleepy, dizzy or otherwise impaired.
These effects may be particularly noticeable when first starting treatment or following a change in dose. Patients should understand how pregabalin affects them before undertaking potentially hazardous activities.
Follow any specific driving advice provided by your doctor, pharmacist and the patient information leaflet.
Pregabalin and Alcohol
Alcohol may increase some of the central nervous system effects associated with pregabalin, including sleepiness and impaired concentration.
Combining pregabalin with substances that cause sedation can increase safety risks. The MHRA has specifically warned about potentially serious central nervous system and respiratory effects when pregabalin is combined with other depressant medicines, particularly opioids.
Ask your healthcare professional about alcohol if you are unsure what is appropriate during your treatment.
Medicines That May Interact With Pregabalin
Before taking pregabalin, tell your healthcare professional about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter treatments, supplements and herbal products you use.
Particular caution may be necessary when pregabalin is combined with opioid painkillers or other medicines that cause sedation.
Combining medicines that depress the central nervous system can increase drowsiness and may increase the risk of breathing problems in susceptible individuals.
Do not start or stop another medicine because of a possible interaction without first obtaining appropriate medical advice.
Who May Not Be Suitable for Pregabalin?
Pregabalin is not suitable for everyone. Before prescribing it, a healthcare professional should consider your medical history, other medicines and the reason treatment is required.
Dose adjustments or additional monitoring may be required for people with kidney problems because kidney function affects how pregabalin is removed from the body.
Tell your prescriber about previous problems with medicines, substance misuse or dependence. You should also discuss any significant heart, breathing or neurological conditions.
Pregnancy, plans to become pregnant and breastfeeding should be discussed with a healthcare professional so that the potential benefits and risks can be considered.
Pregabalin Dependence and Withdrawal
Pregabalin can cause dependence, particularly when taken regularly. Some patients may also develop problems associated with misuse or addiction.
Do not increase your dose because you feel the medicine has become less effective. Dose escalation should only take place when recommended by the healthcare professional managing your treatment.
Pregabalin withdrawal symptoms can occur if you stop pregabalin suddenly. Physical or psychological symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty sleeping, sweating, and other symptoms.
If pregabalin needs to be stopped, the dose will generally need to be reduced gradually under medical advice.
Is Pregabalin a Controlled Drug?
In the UK, pregabalin was reclassified as a Schedule 3 controlled drug in April 2019 under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations.
The controls are intended to reduce abuse, dependence and unlawful diversion while still allowing legitimate patients to access the medicine when clinically appropriate.
Pregabalin must therefore be possessed and used only in accordance with applicable legal requirements and a valid prescription.
Obtaining Pregabalin in the UK
Pregabalin is a prescription-only medicine. A legitimate supply should involve an appropriate prescribing and dispensing process.
The clinical assessment assists the healthcare professional in establishing whether pregabalin is suitable, selecting the appropriate strength and identifying relevant medical conditions or medicine interactions.
Avoid sellers offering prescription medicines through social media, messaging applications or other sources where professional and pharmacy credentials cannot be verified.
Can You Get Pregabalin Without a Prescription?
Pregabalin should not be supplied as an ordinary over-the-counter medicine in the UK. A prescription is required.
Websites offering pregabalin without a prescription or suggesting that customers can bypass appropriate medical assessment should be treated with caution.
Obtaining controlled medicines from unauthorised sources can expose patients to counterfeit, incorrectly labelled or poor-quality products. There may also be uncertainty about what ingredients or strength the product actually contains.
Obtaining Pregabalin Online Safely
Prescription medicines may be supplied through legitimate online pharmacy services when the necessary prescribing and dispensing requirements have been satisfied.
Patients should verify the credentials of an online pharmacy rather than selecting a service solely because of price, availability or delivery speed.
Pharmacies operating in Great Britain can be checked through the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Avoid websites or individual sellers whose professional credentials cannot be verified.
An online consultation should be answered accurately so that the prescriber has appropriate information when deciding whether treatment is suitable.
Storage and Disposal
Keep pregabalin in its original packaging where appropriate and follow the storage instructions supplied with the particular product.
Store all medicines securely and out of the sight and reach of children. As pregabalin is a controlled medicine, it is also sensible to keep it somewhere where other people cannot accidentally or deliberately access it.
Never share your medicine with another person.
Unused or expired pregabalin should normally be returned to a pharmacy for appropriate disposal.
Important Safety Information
Pregabalin should only be taken when prescribed specifically for you by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Never exceed your prescribed dose, share your medication or change the strength without professional advice.
Pregabalin may cause dizziness and drowsiness and has the potential for dependence and withdrawal. Serious adverse effects can occur when it is combined with opioids, alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
If you experience severe breathing problems, loss of consciousness, a serious allergic reaction or other serious symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a doctor or other healthcare professional. Always follow the advice given with your medicine and read the patient information leaflet supplied with it.