Pregabalin

About

About pregabalin Key facts Who can and cannot take pregabalin How and when to take pregabalin Side effects How to cope with side effects of pregabalin Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about pregabalin Pregabalin is used to treat epilepsy and anxiety. It's also taken to treat nerve pain. Nerve pain can be caused by different conditions including diabetes and shingles, or an injury. Pregabalin works in different ways: in epilepsy it stops seizures by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain with nerve pain it blocks pain by affecting the pain messages travelling through the brain and down the spine in anxiety it stops your brain from releasing the chemicals that make you feel anxious Pregabalin is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules, tablets, or a liquid that you swallow. You'll usually take pregabalin 2 or 3 times a day. You can take it with or without food. Pregabalin is often used for epilepsy, but you can also take it to help with pain or anxiety if you do not have epilepsy. It takes at least a few weeks for pregabalin to work. The side effects of pregabalin are usually mild and go away by themselves. The most common ones are feeling sleepy, dizziness and headaches. If you have epilepsy it's important to take pregabalin regularly. Missing doses could trigger a seizure. Pregabalin is only suitable for adults. It might not be suitable for people older than 65. Do not give it to children under 18. 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 abused 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 – some brands of pregabalin liquid contain sodium, so speak to your pharmacist or doctor before taking it have any problems that affect your breathing Pregabal