What is Pregabalin?

Pregabalin is marketed under the brand Lyrica and a lot of people ask “is Alzain the same as Pregabalin?” the answer is yes. Pregabalin is just marketed through the brand Alzain. It is a medication known and used as management for epilepsy. It is established as an anticonvulsant. It can also be used as a treatment for pain caused by fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain associated with diabetes, post-herpetic neuralgia, and spinal injury. It may also be used as management for partial-onset seizures in adults and even children who are 1 month old the least.

How does Pregabalin work?

It falls under the class of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) analogues where it does the job by slowing down impulses in the brain that results in seizures. It also interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain that sends pain signals all over the nervous system. Hence, it is used as management for neuropathic pain associated with diabetes, post-herpetic neuralgia and injury of the spine. Overall, it is used for pain associated with the nerves.

What are the benefits of taking Pregabalin?

Pregabalin is a medication that is used and known for several benefits. First, it eases pain while improving the function of the nerves. Second, it is the first FDA approved medication indicated solely as management for fibromyalgia despite other medications in the market. Best be aware of the side effects to be cautious enough when some of these appear. Common side-effects reported are dizziness, lethargy, peripheral edema, weight gain, blurred vision and dry mouth. Also be cautious in taking Pregabalin concomitantly with other medications that may cause interactions such as ACE-Inhibitors (captopril, lisinopril, enalapril and the like), Narcotics, Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone.

How should you take Pregabalin?

Pregabalin should be taken orally with or without food. In the management of diabetic neuropathy with regular release tablets it is initiated with Pregabalin 50mg and for maintenance, it could be increased as per physician’s instructions as long as it does not exceed a dose of Pregabalin 300 mg per day. With extended-release tablets, it is usually initiated with 165 mg and may be increased as per the physician’s instructions based on the patient’s tolerability. Lastly, for Fibromyalgia, an initial regular release capsule of Pregabalin 75 mg is used and may be increased depending on tolerability. The frequency of intake is usually 3 times a day and will always depend on the efficacy and tolerability towards the patient. In case of a missed dose, take it as soon as possible but if it’s almost time for your next, skip the missed dose, and stick to your regular regimen to avoid double dosing on Pregabalin. On conversion from immediate to extended-release, on the day of the switch, take morning dose as usual then initiate the extended-release form after dinner. Take note that in discontinuation, it should be tapered slowly for a week and not just withdrawing it abruptly from the regime.