Pregabalin half-life

Pregabalin half-life

Pregabalin is an anti-epileptic drug, related to the anticonvulsants family, a very effective drug in controlling partial-onset seizures and in managing the neuropathic pain related to many conditions.

Neuropathic pain is caused by a diseased or damaged nerve; it causes pain throughout the nerve.

To understand the effectiveness and potency of Pregabalin, we have to study how Pregabalin works, Pregabalin half-life, and Pregabalin elimination.

First, let us get introduced to the detailed uses of Pregabalin:

• Neuropathic pain happens to diabetic patients
• Neuropathic pain happens after a spinal cord injury
• Neuralgia occurs after the infection with herpes zoster virus
• Pregabalin is the first approved drug in treating fibromyalgia (a chronic condition causing pain and tenderness throughout the body)
• It is also used as adjunctive therapy in treating partial-onset seizures even in children 1-month-old and older

How does Pregabalin work?

Pregabalin alters the way something called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitters communicate, they are some kind of neurotransmitters found in the brain, when being altered, it affects the nervous system and cures the medical condition.

They help reduce the pain signals responsible for causing nerve pain and also control the impulses causing seizures reducing them.

Dosage and administration:

Pregabalin is available in the form of capsules, extended-release tablets, and oral solutions having many concentrations available.

The dose is determined based on the medical condition, age, and weight of the patient, and the response to the treatment.

You have to take the drug exactly as prescribed by your physician, to ensure the maximum benefit from it, and the least side effects.

Read the medication guide carefully before taking Pregabalin.

If you have any inquiries or questions, talk to your health care provider first.

The physician prescribes the lowest effective dose and increases it as needed according to the response and control of the medical condition taken for.

You have to take it at the recommended times to ensure a constant level of the drug.

Food doesn’t affect the absorption of Pregabalin, so it can be taken either with or without food.

Inform your doctor about new or worsening symptoms.

What if you missed a dose?

Take it as soon as possible.

If it is the time for the next dose, don’t take it to not suffer from overdose symptoms.

What if you overdosed?

Contact your physician at once if you feel symptoms or not.

Pregabalin is not a drug to be stopped at once, the dose should be decreased gradually, or else you will suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms:

• Headache
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeats
• Seizures
• Difficulties in sleeping
• Mood or behavioral changes
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

If you suffered from any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

What is the Pregabalin half-life?

Half-time is the time taken for any drug to be reduced to half of its strength after taking the last dose.

Pregabalin half-life is about six hours.

Elimination:

Pregabalin gets eliminated quickly through the kidneys; it stays in your body for approximately 33 hours, depending on several factors.

Factors affecting Pregabalin half-time and elimination:

• Kidney functions
• Age
• Body mass
• Hydration (If the body have enough water in it)
• Urinary PH (Measure of the degree of acidity or basicity of the urine)
• The dose of the drug
• Duration of treatment

You have also to inform your physician about your medical history and your habits as they may also affect pregabalin half-life and how long it stays in the body.

How long does Pregabalin stay in urine, blood, and hair?

Pregabalin stays in urine for a few days depending on the dose of the drug.

It stays in the blood for only 2 days after the last dose.

Hair surpasses both of them, as Pregabalin may stay in the hair around 90 days.

Side effects:

Common side effects

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Concentrating problems
• Weight gain

Serious side effects

• Blurred vision
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Unsteadiness
• Confusion
• Muscle pain
• Muscle weakness (especially if you suffer from fever or tiredness)
• Swelling of legs, feet, and hands
• Kidney problems
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Depression

Get medical help immediately if you suffer from shallow or slow breathing.

Before taking Pregabalin, you have to tell your doctor about:

• Heart problems
• Kidney problems
• Allergic reactions to Pregabalin or other drugs
• Any history of substance use
• Alcoholism
• Breathing problems

Precautions:

• Pregabalin can cause serious allergic reactions, take care of any signs of hives, rash, blisters, or swelling of any parts of the body
• You have your doctor about taking Pregabalin before having surgery or dental procedure
• Elders are more susceptible to suffer from drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, confusion, and slow breathing

If you have any of the mentioned conditions, talk to your doctor about Pregabalin, and if it is suitable for your medical condition.

Discuss the dosage, side effects, and precautions of the drug before taking it.

Take care of the storage conditions and temperature.

Lyrica UK

 

 

Pregabalin neuropathic pain

 

Difference between gabapentin and pregabalin

 

Is Pregabalin a pain killer