Pregabalin

Pregabalin

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Pregabalin medication is used to treat nerve type of pain. It works by changing the way the nerves sends signals to the brain. It has to be taken regularly to work; it does not work if taken irregularly!

It is also used to treat epilepsy. You are not prescribed this medication for epilepsy. In a similar mechanism, it calms the nerves sending abnormal impulses and can control pain.

It takes up to a week for pain to improve, sometimes longer. If you are stopping this medication, it has to be done gradually as the pain might flare-up otherwise.

Side-effects: Dizziness, tiredness, sleepiness, nausea. These settle with time, if not, you might have to reduce the dose. If the medication causes drowsiness, you should not drive or operate machinery until the effects are worn off. Rarely, swelling of legs can occur.

Evidence based information from Faculty of Pain Medicine available at Pregabalin

Dr Thanthullu Vasu MBBS MD DNB FRCA Dip Pain Mgt FFPMRCA FIPP