

The World Federation of Biological Psychiatry recommends pregabalin as one of several first line agents for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, but recommends other agents such as SSRIs as first line treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Pregabalin is moderately effective and is safe for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Several possible mechanisms for pain improvement have been discussed. In trials examining the utility of pregabalin for the treatment of acute post-surgical pain, no effect on overall pain levels was observed, but people did require less morphine and had fewer opioid-related side effects. Pregabalin is generally not regarded as efficacious in the treatment of acute pain. It has been examined for the prevention of post-surgical chronic pain, but its utility for this purpose is controversial. There is no evidence for its use in the prevention of migraines and gabapentin has also been found not to be useful. Pregabalin's use in cancer-associated neuropathic pain is controversial though such use is common. Evidence does not support it being useful in sciatica or low back pain. It is given equal weight as gabapentin and tricyclic antidepressants as a first line agent, however the latter are less expensive as of 2010. A minority obtain substantial benefit, and a larger number obtain moderate benefit. The European Federation of Neurological Societies recommends pregabalin as a first line agent for the treatment of pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and central neuropathic pain. It is unclear how it compares to gabapentin for this use. Its use alone is less effective than some other seizure medications. Pregabalin is useful when added to other treatments, when those other treatments are not controlling partial epilepsy. īox of 150 mg Lyrica (pregabalin) capsules from Finland Seizures It is a Class C controlled substance in the UK. In the US, pregabalin is a Schedule V controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. In 2019, it was the 81st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 9 million prescriptions. A generic version of the extended-release formulation is available in the United States as of April 2021. It is available as a generic medication in a number of countries, including the United States as of 2019. It was developed as a successor to gabapentin. Pregabalin was approved for medical use in the United States in 2004. Pregabalin is a gabapentinoid and acts by inhibiting certain calcium channels. Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is of unclear safety. When pregabalin is taken at high doses over a long period of time, addiction may occur, but if taken at usual doses the risk is low. Serious side effects may include angioedema, drug misuse, and an increased suicide risk. Ĭommon side effects include headache, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, trouble with memory, poor coordination, dry mouth, problem with vision, and weight gain. When used before surgery, it reduces pain but results in greater sedation and visual disturbances. Its use in epilepsy is as an add-on therapy for partial seizures. Pregabalin, sold under the brand name Lyrica among others, is an anticonvulsant and anxiolytic medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, and generalized anxiety disorder.
