Pregabalin neuropathic pain
Table of Contents
Pregabalin neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is a burning or severe pain that appears suddenly, it can go on its own, or can last and turn into chronic pain.
It happens as a result of a damaged or diseased nerves, this condition happens mainly due to disease, injury, infection, or loss of a limb.
The most common causes for neuropathic are:
- Alcohol addiction
- Amputation (Removing a limb as a result of severe infection, gangrene, trauma, or deformation leading to limited function and movement)
- Chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- Problems in the facial nerve
- AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
- Multiple myeloma (Type of cancer)
- Multiple sclerosis (Disease in the brain and spinal cord causing deterioration of movement)
- Spinal cord injury
- Shingles (Herpes zoster virus)
- Syphilis
- Thyroid problems
Pregabalin neuropathic pain can be a very good, effective, and potent drug for managing neuropathic pain in several conditions.
Conditions managed by Pregabalin neuropathic pain:
- Neuropathic pain caused by diabetes
- Postherpetic neuralgia (Stabbing or burning pain caused by damaged or irritated nerve)
- Fibromyalgia (Muscles pain accompanied by fatigue, problems in sleep, memory, and mood)
Pregabalin neuropathic pain is the first drug approved by the FDA (Food and drug administration) in the management of fibromyalgia.
- Neuropathic pain happens after a spinal cord injury
Pregabalin is also used in other conditions as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures.
Off-label uses include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, insomnia (sleeping problem), and chronic pain conditions.
The way Pregabalin neuropathic pain works:
It calms down the overactive or damaged nerves in the body causing pain or causing seizures.
Pregabalin neuropathic pain is available in many oral dosage forms.
Capsules, extended-release tablets, and oral solutions.
Neuropathic pain caused by diabetes:
Capsules:
- Starting with 50 mg orally every 8 hours per day
- The dose may be increased to 100 mg orally every 8 hours if needed
- The maximum dose is 300 mg per day
- Starting with 165 mg orally per day
- The dose may be increased to 330 mg orally per day if needed
- The maximum dose is 330 mg orally per day
Extended-release tablets are swallowed as a whole, without crushing, or breaking, or chewing.
Postherpetic neuralgia:
Capsules:
- Starting with 150-300 mg orally per day every 8-12 hours
- The dose may be increased to 300 mg every 8-12 hours if needed
Extended-release tablets:
- Starting with 165 mg orally per day
- The dose may be increased to 330 mg orally per day if needed
- The maximum dose is 330 mg orally per day
Fibromyalgia:
- Capsules and oral solutions only
- Starting with 75 mg orally every 12 hours
- The dose may be increased to 150 mg every 12 hours if needed
- The maximum dose is 450 mg orally per day
Neuropathic pain happens after a spinal cord injury:
- Capsules and oral solutions only
- Starting with 75 mg orally every 12 hours
- The dose may be increased to 150 mg every 12 hours if needed
Always take care of dose modifications if you are suffering from another underlying medical condition especially with Pregabalin neuropathic pain if this condition is any kind of renal impairment.
Pregabalin is not used in pediatrics except in partial-onset seizures.
Before taking Pregabalin neuropathic pain, you should inform your physician if have ever had:
- allergy to Pregabalin neuropathic pain, or any other allergies
- any kind of abuse, either to alcohol or to drugs
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- vision problems
- heart failure
- bleeding problems
- a low number of platelets (type of blood cells responsible for clotting)
- Lung, heart, or kidney diseases
- a surgery, or dental procedure
- mental problems, mood problems, and suicidal thoughts or acts
Drug-drug interactions:
Pregabalin neuropathic pain can cause serious side effects if combined with other drugs.
- benazepril
- captopril
- enalapril
- everolimus
- fosinopril
- imidapril
- lisinopril
- metoclopramide intranasal
- moexipril
- perindopril
- quinapril
- ramipril
- sirolimus
- temsirolimus
- trandolapril
If you are taking any of the above drugs, you should not take Pregabalin neuropathic pain, and you should use an alternative drug.
There is also a list of drugs that needs monitor closing when used in combination with Pregabalin, make sure to inform your physician about the drugs you are taking.
Side effects:
Pregabalin neuropathic pain can cause many side effects.
Common side effects:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Concentrating troubles
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain
- Swelling of limbs
These effects may go away from their own or may persist if the side effects don’t fade, inform your physician about them.
Serious side effects:
- Severe allergic reactions may be life-threatening causing swelling of some parts of the body, trouble breathing, or hives.
- Suicidal thoughts or acts
- Heart problems
- Severe dizziness
- Serious breathing problems
Always confirm with your physician the information mentioned in any article.
