Pregabalin: uses and side effects of this drug

There are some drugs that are used for quite diverse disorders or pathologies. This is the case of pregabalin, an antiepileptic and analgesic drug, indicated for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), neuropathic pain and seizures typical of epilepsy.

In this article we will learn about its mechanism of action, how it is administered in each case, its side effects and contraindications.

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Pregabalin: what is it?

Pregabalin is an antiepileptic and analgesic drug, used primarily for peripheral neuropathic pain. and central in adults, as add-on therapy in partial seizures with or without generalization in adults and for the generalized anxiety disorder (TAG).

Its active principle is an analogue of γ-aminobutyric acid (GAB)A, that is, it It is a GABA analog drug. (main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system), like its predecessor gabapentin.

This drug is administered orally, and can be taken with or without food. The contraindication to taking pregabalin is hypersensitivity to pregabalin itself.

Regarding its dosage, the dose range is from 150 to 600 mg per day, dividing its administration into two or three doses. To do it always follow the instructions of the medical staff who has prescribed this drug.

pregabalin should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, since its safety and efficacy in these groups have not yet been established.

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Indications

Pregabalin belongs to a group of medicines used mainly for the treatment of epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults, and neuropathic pain.

1. Epilepsy

Pregabalin is used to treat certain kinds of epilepsy, specifically partial seizures with or without secondary generalization, in adults. Pregabalin requires a prescription prescribed by the doctor.

It is prescribed for cases of epilepsy when the current treatment is not controlling the disease. Pregabalin is usually taken in addition to the current treatment.

It should not be administered alone, but should always be used in combination with other antiepileptic treatments.

2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

In this case, pregabalin is prescribed for symptoms of prolonged and excessive anxiety and worry typical of the TAG, which are difficult to control.

In addition, GAD can also cause restlessness or a feeling of excitement or nervousness, feelings of fatigue and getting tired easily, as well such as difficulties concentrating or easy going blank-minded, irritability, muscle tension or disturbances of dream. Pregabalin also acts on these symptoms.

However, we must be clear that these symptoms are slightly different from stress itself, and/or to tensions typical of daily life.

3. Neuropathic pain

Pregabalin is also used to treat neuropathic (peripheral and central) pain. Neuropathic pain is produced by damage or alteration in the structures of the nervous system. Therefore, this pain can be caused by damage to peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathic pain) or by damage to the spinal cord or brain (central neuropathic pain).

Neuropathic pain is caused by abnormal functioning of the nervous system, which misinterprets stimuli. It affects 7-10% of the European population.

Side effects

Pregabalin, like all medicines, also has a number of side effects that can appear when it is taken (although they do not always appear). The most common side effects (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are dizziness, drowsiness, and headache.

Other slightly less common side effects (affect more than 1 in 100 people) are:

• Increased appetite.
• Feeling of euphoria, confusion, disorientation, decreased sexual drive, irritability.
• Disturbance in attention, clumsiness of movement, memory impairment, memory loss, tremors, slurred speech, tingling sensation, numbness, sedation, lethargy, insomnia, fatigue, feeling abnormal.
• Blurred vision, double vision.
• Vertigo, balance problems, falls.
• Dry mouth, constipation, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, swollen abdomen.
• Difficulty in erection.
• Swelling of the body including the extremities.
• Sensation of intoxication, alterations in the way of walking.
• Weight gain.
• Muscle cramp, joint pain, back pain, pain in the extremities.
• Sore throat.