Pregabalin, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiseizure; analgesic

Generic and brand names: pregabalin, oral; Lyrica

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes or shingles. It may also be used to treat certain types of seizures, fibromyalgia, and anxiety disorders. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bleeding problem or a low blood platelet count
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• problems with drug or alcohol abuse
• prolonged or continuous seizures

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dosage until you receive the most benefit with the lowest risk. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully.

This medicine may be taken with or without food.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech.

What should I watch out for?

Antiseizure medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or increased thoughts of suicide.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.

If you notice changes in your eyesight, contact your healthcare provider.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Suddenly stopping could cause serious side effects.

If you have seizures one right after another, contact your healthcare provider right away.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal for you to give it to anyone else.

If you have diabetes, and you notice skin sores while you are taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash or blisters; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe or continuous seizures; unexplained swelling; thoughts of suicide; unexplained muscle pain or weakness; double vision, blurred vision.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, tremors, nervousness, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE Inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), fosinopril (Monopril), captopril (Capoten), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and benazepril (Lotensin)
• alcohol
• diabetes medicines such as pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• natural remedies such as valerian, St. John's wort, kava, gotu kola
• narcotic pain medicines such as hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), morphine (Avinza, MS Contin, MSIR, Oramorph SR, Roxanol), codeine, oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100), meperidine (Demerol), and fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), butabarbital (Butisol), and zaleplon (Sonata)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), meprobamate (Equanil), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan)

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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