Pregabalin

Pregabalin is not suitable for some people. For example, check with your doctor if you have breathing problems or heart disease.

Pregabalin comes as capsules, tablets or a liquid that you take up to 3 times a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Common side effects of pregabalin include headaches, feeling sleepy and feeling dizzy. More serious side effects can happen in rare cases.

You may be able to take pregabalin while pregnant, but always check with a doctor first.

It can cause problems to take pregabalin with some other medicines, such as strong painkillers or medicines that make you feel sleepy or dizzy.

Pregabalin is only suitable for adults. It might not be suitable for people older than 65. Do not give it to children under 18 years.

Pregabalin is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to pregabalin or any other medicine
• have ever misused or been addicted to a medicine
• are trying to get pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding
• are on a controlled sodium diet, or your kidneys do not work well – most brands of pregabalin do not contain sodium, but some brands of pregabalin liquid may contain sodium, so speak to your pharmacist or doctor before taking it
• have any problems that affect your breathing
• have heart disease
• have liver or kidney disease

Pregabalin comes as standard tablets and capsules, and as slow-release tablets. Slow-release tablets release the medicine into your body more slowly throughout the day.

Standard tablets and capsules contain 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 225mg, or 300mg of pregabalin.

Slow-release tablets contain 82.5mg, 165mg or 330mg of pregabalin.

If you're taking it as a liquid, 2.5ml is usually the same as taking one 50mg capsule. Always check the label.

If you're taking standard tablets or capsules, the usual dose is between 150mg and 600mg a day, split into 2 or 3 separate doses.

If you're taking slow-release tablets, you'll take these once a day.

Changes to your dose

To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor will prescribe a low dose to start with and then increase it every few days.

When you find a dose that suits you, it will usually stay the same.

How to take it

You can take pregabalin with or without food, but it's best to take it in the same way each day. Try to space your doses evenly through the day.

Swallow pregabalin tablets or capsules whole with a drink of water or juice. Do not chew them.

The liquid pregabalin will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have a measuring spoon or syringe, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

These common side effects of pregabalin may happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves.

There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It's best not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking pregabalin. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.

Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery until you feel better.

As your body gets used to pregabalin, these side effects should wear off. If they do not wear off within a week or two, your doctor may reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that does not work, your doctor may suggest a different medicine.

Avoid having a big meal, smoking, or drinking alcohol, tea or coffee in the evening. Try not to watch television or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Instead, try to relax for an hour before bedtime.

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If you feel this medicine is causing mood changes, speak to your doctor. They may be able to change you to a different medicine.

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your pregabalin after you've eaten.

If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee.

If you take the combined pill or the progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If your feet are swollen, try sitting with your feet up on a chair or bed. When you do stand up, try not to stand for too long. Exercise might help if your arms are swollen. If that does not help or it becomes painful, contact your doctor.

Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery while this is happening. If it lasts for more than a couple of days speak to your doctor as they may need to change your treatment.

Speak to your doctor. They may be able to change your medicine or offer other treatments that might help with this problem.

Pregabalin can make you hungrier so it can be hard to stop yourself putting on weight.

Try to eat well without increasing your portion sizes. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories, such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you're hungry between meals, eat fruit and vegetables and low-calorie foods.

Increasing your level of exercise will also help to keep your weight stable.

If you're having problems with your memory, speak to your doctor. They may want you to try a different medicine.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

If you have diabetes, pregabalin can affect your blood sugar control. Monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks after you start taking pregabalin and adjust your diabetes treatment if you need to. Talk to your doctor or diabetes nurse if you want more advice on what to do.

Some, but not all, studies have shown that taking pregabalin during pregnancy may slightly increase the chance of birth defects in the baby.

You'll usually only be advised to take it if your doctor thinks the benefits of the medicine outweigh the possible risks.

If you take pregabalin and become pregnant, do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first. If you take pregabalin for epilepsy, it's particularly important that this is well controlled during pregnancy, as seizures can harm you and your baby.

It's recommended to use effective contraception while taking pregabalin. If you plan to get pregnant, talk to your doctor, as they may want to review your treatment.

If you're trying to get pregnant or have become pregnant while taking pregabalin, it's recommended to take high dose folic acid (5mg a day). You can get this from your doctor or midwife.

Ideally, you'll take high dose folic acid for 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Do not worry if you have not taken it before you get pregnant, but start taking it as soon as possible once you know that you are pregnant. It helps your baby to grow normally.

If you take pregabalin around the time of giving birth, your baby may need extra monitoring for a few days after they're born. This is because they may have pregabalin withdrawal symptoms.

If your baby is healthy, you can usually take pregabalin while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first and they’ll help you to decide.

It's important to keep treating your condition to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

There's not much information about using pregabalin while breastfeeding, but it shows that pregabalin passes into breast milk in small amounts.

It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• has changes in feeding, or if they're not putting on weight as you would expect
• is being unusually sleepy
• is being irritable
• is constipated
• is suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking the medicine, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

It's important not to share a bed with your baby while you're taking pregabalin.

It's usually safe to take pregabalin with other medicines.

For safety, tell your doctor before you start taking pregabalin if you're taking:

• strong opioid painkillers such as morphine, codeine or oxycodone
• medicines that make you feel sleepy or dizzy – pregabalin can make these side effects worse