Pregabalin

Understanding Pregabalin

Pregabalin 450mg is a potent anticonvulsant drug used for treating excitatory conditions like epilepsy and anxiety. Some patients also use it to treat nerve pain caused by various underlying issues like diabetes, shingles, or injury. It's most popularly used in pill form. In stores, people may find it under the label Lyrica, its official brand name.

Originally, pregabalin was developed in the 1990s as a treatment for epilepsy. In 2004, it received approval from both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of seizures, neuralgia, and neuropathic pain. Its umbrella of legal clinical use expanded in 2007 when it became the first drug green-lit to treat fibromyalgia. This is also when it started to be used to manage generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

In the present day, pregabalin is still widely used to treat these conditions, and is only gaining popularity according to data records.

Pregabalin Mechanism of Action

Pregabalin 300mg functions in several ways as it treats a broad range of conditions. By decreasing abnormal electrical firing in the brain, it can stop seizures associated with epilepsy. It also prevents the release of brain chemicals that cause anxiety, making it ideal for managing GAD. For aching nerves, this medicine blocks pain signals on their way from the brain to the central nervous system.

After ingesting the oral medication, it's broken down in the stomach and absorbed by the bloodstream. The pregabalin is then able to cross over to the central nervous system (CNS) where it attaches to calcium channels. This manifests as less calcium flowing through to the patient's nerve endings, temporarily inhibiting pain signals.

While this mechanism treats aching nerves by slowing and stopping painful signals, it can also bring a sense of tranquillity to the user. It should be noted, however, that these effects can only be felt after at least a few weeks of taking the medication.

What Are Anticonvulsants?

Anticonvulsants are a family of drugs, including pregabalin, generally used to treat seizures either by preventing them or reducing their severity. These medications are also referred to as antiepileptic drugs or AEDs. They work as a traffic control centre in the brain, helping to prevent seizure-triggering jams which happen when chaotic electrical activity disrupts a person's ability to move, think or feel.

Pregabalin and other AEDs are able to put up roadblocks to prevent haywire electrical activity from spreading across the brain. They also calm overexcited nerves and brain cells, reducing the likelihood of misfired electrical signals. This also makes them the ideal choice for nerve pain resulting from conditions like diabetes or shingles. Some are also used to treat migraines or stabilize mood swings in patients with Bipolar disorder.

While pregabalin and other antiepileptic medicines won't cure any of these conditions, daily use can help manage them and reduce painful or dangerous symptoms so the user can go about their lives as normally as possible.

Clinical Use of Pregabalin

Anxiety

Pregabalin 450mg is approved by the EMA for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults. It's often recommended to patients when primary medications like SSRIs can't be taken or have failed to show improvement. It may also be used temporarily while waiting for SSRIs, which take 4 to 6 weeks to take effect.

Neuropathic Pain

Pregabalin, while not a traditional painkiller like ibuprofen, is particularly effective against aching nerves. Neuropathic pain is often described as "pins and needles", tingling, burning, stabbing or electric shock-like sensations. It can be caused by health issues like diabetes, shingles or spinal cord injuries. Most notably, it is the first treatment to be approved by the FDA for the musculoskeletal condition, fibromyalgia.

Epilepsy/Seizures

While pregabalin is typically not the primary medication for epilepsy, it often used in addition to other therapies for treating epileptic or partial seizures. It is taken alongside other anti-seizure medication when the current regimen is insufficient.

Comparing Painkillers

Drug	Onset of Action	Duration	Common Uses	Notes
Pregabalin	60-90 minutes	6-8 hours	Nerve Pain	Lasting Relief Longer onset
Tramadol	30-60 minutes	4-6 hours	Acute Pain (Moderate to Severe)	Fast Onset Stronger Relief
Paracetamol	30-60 minutes	4-6 hours	Mild Pain (Fever and Headaches)	For Everyday Aches and Pains

The chart above illustrates how Pregabalin 450mg compares with other popular painkillers. Tramadol, a strong opioid, inhibits pain signals by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and central nervous system. It's fast-acting and is useful for short-term pain management. Paracetamol is a milder medication that helps with common aches and pains like headaches or fever.

While tramadol and paracetamol are meant for short-term or acute pain, pregabalin is a longer-term medication that needs to be taken consistently. Rather than blocking pain signals like other painkillers, this medicine targets the nerves directly to provide longer-lasting relief.

Dosage and Usage

Patients who have never taken this treatment before should consult their regular healthcare provider in order to determine the correct dosage. Be sure to discuss recent medical history, including current medicines, supplements, and conditions. This will help in determining the suitability of the treatment. Typically, the medication is taken in 150mg to 600mg split doses daily, but many patients will start off on the lowest possible strength.

Pregabalin 450mg should be consumed orally by swallowing the tablet whole along with a drink of water, without chewing, crushing or breaking the pill. This drug can be taken with or without food and should be split into 2 or 3 doses, depending on professional recommendation.

Patients with epilepsy should be extra cautious about taking pregabalin on time and consistently as missing a dose could cause a seizure. Try setting an alarm as a reminder. For other conditions, if a dose is forgotten, take as soon as remembered, unless it's within two hours of the next dose, in which case, skip it and take the subsequent one at its usual time. Never double-dose.

Pregabalin Possible Side Effects

While pregabalin is a reliable long-term treatment approved by both the EMA and FDA, all drugs carry a small risk of side effects or adverse reactions. In order to minimize the possibility of experiencing these issues, patients need to follow their instructions as closely as they can. The following is a list of the most common pregabalin side effects:

• Fatigue
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Blurred Vision
• Headaches
• Changes in Mood
• diarrhoea
• Memory Issues
• Weight Gain

If side effects become unmanageable patients should discuss treatment options with their doctor. Patients with diabetes need to pay extra attention to their blood sugar levels as pregabalin 300mg can affect blood sugar control.

Precautions and Avoiding Dependence

Although pregabalin is FDA-approved, there are some who should be cautious. Patients who have a history of respiratory issues, heart problems, or depression should consult with their doctor first. This being said, if people are allergic to this active ingredient, or have a severe kidney impairment, they should avoid this medication entirely.

For people who can safely take it, they need to remember to always use pregabalin responsibly to minimize the risk of misuse. This treatment is classed as a Schedule V drug, which has the lowest risk of dependence, but patients still need to follow their dosage instructions carefully.

When the treatment duration is coming to an end, patients can include a tapering-off period to further reduce the chance of withdrawal symptoms.

Cost of Pregabalin

Pictured below is a graphic comparing the general cost of pregabalin 300mg with 450 mg. The cost will vary depending on the pharmacy and brand. Lyrica, the original brand-name drug, will likely be in a higher price range than its generic counterparts. Genuine online pharmacies offer flexible ordering to ensure patients can fulfil their pregabalin treatment plan.

Pack Size (Tablets)	Strength	Price Range (GBP)
30	300 mg	£38 - £43
60	300 mg	£58 - £63
90	300 mg	£83 - £88
30	450 mg	£42 - £46
60	450 mg	£64 - £69
90	450 mg	£94 - £99

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pregabalin?

This medication is a Schedule V controlled substance that belongs to a group of treatments called Gabapentinoids. It has been FDA-approved since 2004, and this treatment has risen in popularity ever since. It has been widely recommended for various conditions because it has anticonvulsant, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties.

What is pregabalin used for?

Primarily, this treatment is used to manage neuropathic pain in adults. Pregabalin is also used to manage partial-onset seizures, as well as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). It works by binding to the calcium channels in the CNS, which reduces the release of certain neurotransmitters. This helps calm down overactive nerve activity, making pain and anxiety signals much more manageable.

Does pregabalin take long to work?

Generally, pregabalin 450mg takes roughly 1 hour for the effects to kick in. This onset time can be slightly different for certain people based on their food intake or their metabolism. While this treatment does work right away, some might need a week or two before they notice the effects.

What shouldn't I mix with pregabalin?

This medication should not be used with other CNS depressants, and it should never be mixed with alcohol. This extends to any benzodiazepines, as well as Z-drugs. All of these combinations can cause heavy sedation, and increase the risk of more serious effects.

What painkillers can I use alongside pregabalin?

This medication is safe to be combined with regular over-the-counter pain-relievers like paracetamol and ibuprofen. However, it should never be paired with stronger painkillers like opioids or opioid derivatives. To ensure safe results, always confirm the suitability of the treatment before mixing with pregabalin.

Is addiction possible?

Addiction is possible since pregabalin can produce euphoric effects in some people. This said, the risk of developing this dependence is far less than that of opioids or benzodiazepines. People should always use Pregabalin 300mg carefully, and to avoid withdrawal symptoms, patients can include a tapering off period before they stop their treatment.