About Pregabalin 75 mg Capsule
Pregabalin 75 mg Capsule contains Pregabalin 75 mg. Pregabalin is used to treat nerve pain, such as pain from diabetes or after shingles, and some types of seizures. In some countries it is also used for generalised anxiety disorder and fibromyalgia. It can cause dizziness and sleepiness. Because it can be misused and cause withdrawal symptoms, it should be taken only as prescribed and not stopped suddenly.
Uses of Pregabalin 75 mg Capsule
- Nerve pain (neuropathic pain), such as diabetic nerve pain and pain after shingles
- Fibromyalgia
- Focal (partial) seizures, along with other epilepsy medicines
- Generalised anxiety disorder, as advised by a doctor
Benefits
In nerve pain
It can reduce burning, shooting or stabbing nerve pain and may help you sleep better. The effect builds up as the dose is adjusted.
In seizures and anxiety
It can reduce how often focal seizures happen and ease anxiety symptoms when used as part of treatment.
Side effects
Dizziness and sleepiness are common, especially when starting. Do not stop taking it suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, nausea, anxiety and sweating.
Common
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Swelling of the hands or feet
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling unsteady
Get medical help if you notice
- Slow or shallow breathing, or very difficult to wake — seek emergency care (higher risk with opioids or other sedating medicines)
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing — stop taking it and seek emergency care
- New or worse thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or unusual mood changes — contact your doctor straight away
- Severe skin rash with blistering — seek emergency care
- Unexplained muscle pain or weakness — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the capsule whole with water, with or without food. Do not take more than prescribed.
How it works
It binds to a part of calcium channels (the alpha-2-delta subunit) on nerve cells. This reduces the release of chemical messengers from overactive nerves, which calms nerve pain and seizure activity.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It greatly increases drowsiness and dizziness and can affect breathing.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor says it is clearly needed. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, and use effective contraception if advised.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
Pregabalin passes into breast milk. It is not recommended while breastfeeding; ask your doctor.
Driving Caution
It often causes dizziness, sleepiness or blurred vision. Do not drive or use machines until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor will lower the dose if you have kidney disease.
Liver Safe
It is not processed by the liver, and labelling states no dose change is needed in liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it only as prescribed and never share it.
- Do not stop it suddenly; your doctor will reduce the dose slowly.
- Avoid alcohol and tell your doctor if you take opioid painkillers or sleeping pills.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever misused alcohol or drugs.
- Watch for swelling of the legs or weight gain, and tell your doctor.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- GABA analogue
- Therapeutic class
- Neurology / pain
- Action class
- Alpha-2-delta calcium channel ligand (gabapentinoid)
- Habit forming
- Yes
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Opioid painkillers such as tramadol or morphine | Increase the risk of severe drowsiness and slowed breathing |
| Alcohol, benzodiazepines and sleeping pills | Add to drowsiness and may affect breathing |
| ACE inhibitors such as ramipril | May increase the risk of swelling of the face and throat |
| Pioglitazone | May increase fluid build-up and weight gain |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Pregabalin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); Pregabalin Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC); US FDA safety communication on gabapentinoids and breathing problems, 2019). Pharmacist review pending.