This article describes possible interactions with pregabalin oral capsule. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Pregabalin comes as capsules that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as a solution and tablets that are swallowed. Interactions of pregabalin may vary depending on the form of pregabalin you’re prescribed.
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Other drugs and pregabalin
The drugs in the list below may interact with pregabalin oral capsule. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with pregabalin. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about what not to take with pregabalin.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with pregabalin oral capsule include:
- opioids:
- drug examples: oxycodone (Oxycontin, others), morphine (MS Contin, others)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the opioid
- benzodiazepines:
- drug examples: lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the benzodiazepine
- certain diabetes medications:
- drug examples: pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the diabetes medication
- certain antidepressants:
- drug examples: amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the antidepressant
- certain blood pressure medications:
- drug examples: lisinopril (Zestril, others), benazepril (Lotensin)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the blood pressure medication
- muscle relaxants:
- drug examples: carisoprodol (Soma), baclofen
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the muscle relaxant
- sedatives:
- drug examples: zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the sedative
- certain antipsychotic medications:
- drug examples: haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and the antipsychotic
- diphenhydramine (Benadryl):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and diphenhydramine
- gabapentin (Neurontin, others):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of pregabalin and gabapentin
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Questions about pregabalin and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about pregabalin and possible interactions.
What painkillers can I take with pregabalin?
It depends. Certain pain medications, such as opioid drugs, should be avoided when you’re taking pregabalin oral capsule. This is due to the risk of drug interactions.
Many types of pain medications are available either over the counter or by prescription. Although opioids are the only known pain medication that interact with pregabalin, all pain medications carry their own risks.
Talk with your doctor to determine which pain medications are best for your condition.
Are there any foods to avoid while on Lyrica, pregabalin’s brand-name version?
No, Lyrica and pregabalin don’t have any known interactions with foods. So there aren’t any foods you need to avoid. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Lyrica is a brand-name drug. Its generic version is called pregabalin. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. An active ingredient is the ingredient that makes the medication work. Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Alcohol and pregabalin
Pregabalin oral capsule is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking pregabalin oral capsule and drinking alcohol may cause:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- problems with coordination
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about pregabalin interactions with alcohol.
When to avoid pregabalin
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with pregabalin oral capsule. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe pregabalin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a contraindication for pregabalin oral capsule:
- Past allergic reaction to pregabalin: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to pregabalin oral capsule, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking Pregabalin, talk with your doctor about pregabalin contraindications. They can recommend whether you should take pregabalin.
Other interactions and pregabalin
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether pregabalin oral capsule has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with pregabalin.
Pregabalin and supplements
Before taking pregabalin oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Pregabalin oral capsule may interact with melatonin supplements. Melatonin is often used to help with sleep. But taking pregabalin and melatonin may worsen side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregabalin interactions with herbs
Pregabalin oral capsule may interact with valerian root. People often use this herb as a sleep aid or to help with anxiety. Taking pregabalin and valerian root may lead to extreme sleepiness.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking pregabalin oral capsule.
Pregabalin interactions with vitamins
Pregabalin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking pregabalin oral capsule.
Pregabalin and food
Pregabalin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking pregabalin oral capsule.
Pregabalin and vaccines
Pregabalin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking pregabalin oral capsule.
Pregabalin and lab tests
Pregabalin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking pregabalin oral capsule.
Pregabalin and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with pregabalin. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking pregabalin and cannabis may lead to excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and problems with coordination.
Before you take pregabalin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and pregabalin
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with pregabalin oral capsule. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking Pregabalin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether pregabalin is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with pregabalin oral capsule:
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Preventing pregabalin interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with pregabalin oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking pregabalin oral capsule.
Taking pregabalin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about pregabalin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Can I take pregabalin even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Do other drugs used for my condition have similar interactions?
- Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my pregabalin treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
