Pregabalin
Also sold as: Lyrica, Gabica
Prescription neededEpilepsy and nerve pain
Comes as:Capsule
Usual adult dose
For nerve pain: start with 75 mg twice a day; the doctor may raise it to 150 mg to 300 mg twice a day. Lower doses are used in kidney disease. It can be misused; do not stop it suddenly.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- unsteady walking
- swelling of the legs
- weight gain
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- slow breathing (especially with opioids)
- thoughts of suicide
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Kidney disease (lower dose needed)
- History of drug misuse (use with caution)
- Taking opioids or other sedatives (use with caution)
- Heart failure (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Morphine
Together they increase sedation and the risk of slowed breathing.