Pregabalin

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on June 27, 2023

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved pregabalin for:

• nerve pain from diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes)
• nerve pain after shingles
• focal onset seizures (seizures that start in one specific area of the brain), along with other medications
• fibromyalgia
• nerve pain after a spinal cord injury

These approved uses differ based on the form of pregabalin your doctor prescribes.

This article describes pregabalin’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find coupon options to help save on the cost of pregabalin.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of pregabalin. To find coupons for pregabalin extended-release oral tablet, see this article.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about pregabalin.

Can I take pregabalin with methylcobalamin or nortriptyline?

Yes, pregabalin can be taken with methylcobalamin or nortriptyline, if your doctor approves. Neither drug is reported to interact with pregabalin. But taking pregabalin with nortriptyline might increase the risk of some side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness.

To learn more about taking pregabalin with other drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does pregabalin compare with gabapentin?

Pregabalin and gabapentin are both anticonvulsant drugs (drugs approved to treat seizures). They’re closely related and generally used for the same conditions and symptoms. They also have similar side effects and warnings.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about how these drugs compare.

What brand names are available for pregabalin?

Pregabalin is available as the brand-name drug Lyrica. If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is pregabalin used for anxiety?

It may be. Pregabalin isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anxiety, but doctors may prescribe it for this purpose. It’s called off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for conditions other than its approved use.

To learn more about taking pregabalin for anxiety, talk with your doctor.

How does pregabalin work? And how long does it take to start working?

The exact way pregabalin works isn’t clear. It likely changes the levels of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This may reduce the activity of nerves that cause seizures or pain.

It can take up to 1 week for pregabalin to start working. Doctors usually wait this long before deciding whether or not to adjust your dosage. It can take 2–4 weeks to see the full effects of pregabalin.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with pregabalin treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is misuse, withdrawal, or dependence possible with pregabalin?

Yes. Dependence (needing a drug for your body to function like usual) is possible with pregabalin. Because of this, withdrawal symptoms can happen if you suddenly stop pregabalin. (Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.)

Withdrawal symptoms can include sleep problems, headache, and anxiety. In people with a seizure disorder, suddenly stopping pregabalin can cause an increase in seizure activity.

Misuse (taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it) is also possible with pregabalin.

Due to these risks, pregabalin is a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse.

Be sure to take pregabalin exactly as your doctor prescribes it. And do not stop taking it without first talking with your doctor. They’ll taper (slowly decrease) your dosage over at least 1 week. This lowers your risk of withdrawal symptoms.

If you have more questions about misuse, withdrawal, or dependence, talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as pregabalin for certain conditions. Approved uses for pregabalin are described below. These uses differ based on the form of pregabalin prescribed.

Use for certain forms of pain

Doctors may prescribe pregabalin oral capsule or oral liquid solution for treating nerve pain from nerve problems, spinal cord injury, and fibromyalgia.

Doctors may also prescribe pregabalin to treat nerve pain from diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes) and nerve pain after shingles. Any form of pregabalin can be prescribed for these uses (the extended-release* oral tablet, oral capsule, or oral liquid solution).

Pregabalin is used for the above purposes in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With nerve pain, nerves are damaged or don’t work correctly. The problem can be with nerves in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or peripheral nerves. (Peripheral nerves are outside the brain and spinal cord, throughout your limbs and the rest of your body.) Other symptoms can occur along with nerve pain, including numbness, tingling, and unpleasant or abnormal sensations.

* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Use for seizures

Doctors may prescribe pregabalin oral capsule or oral liquid solution for treating focal onset seizures. The pregabalin oral capsule is prescribed for this purpose in adults and adolescents ages 17 years and older. The oral liquid solution is prescribed for this purpose in adults and children ages 4 years and older. Pregabalin is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment for seizures.

With focal onset seizures (sometimes called partial seizures), the seizure starts in one specific area of the brain. Possible causes include epilepsy, injury, or stroke. Symptoms can include twitching, muscle stiffness, or repetitive movements.

Pregabalin is prescribed together with other seizure medications for focal onset seizures.

Pregabalin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of pregabalin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about pregabalin’s side effects, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist. For details about side effects of pregabalin oral capsule, refer to this article. You can also read the prescribing information for pregabalin in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of pregabalin are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of pregabalin you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about pregabalin’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information for pregabalin in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Pregabalin oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• mild allergic reaction*

Pregabalin extended-release† oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fatigue (lack of energy)
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for pregabalin” section.
† Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of pregabalin are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of pregabalin you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about pregabalin’s side effects based on the form, see the prescribing information for pregabalin in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, pregabalin’s serious side effects include:

• changes in the heart’s electrical signals, which can lead to serious heart rhythm problems
• increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions
• low levels of platelets (a type of blood cell that helps blood clot)
• muscle problems, such as cramps, weakness, or stiffness
• severe drowsiness and dizziness that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery
• slow or shallow breathing
• swelling in your hands or feet
• vision changes
• weight gain
• withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking the drug*
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details, see the “Common questions about pregabalin” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for pregabalin” section.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

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.

Below, you’ll find information about pregabalin’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of pregabalin

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take pregabalin, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for pregabalin” section below.

Warnings for pregabalin

Some people should not take pregabalin, and others should take it cautiously.

Pregabalin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether pregabalin is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for pregabalin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Pregabalin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to pregabalin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take pregabalin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to pregabalin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of pregabalin

You should not take more pregabalin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much pregabalin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and pregabalin

Information about pregabalin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Pregabalin and pregnancy

It’s not known whether pregabalin should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

If you take pregabalin during pregnancy, you could consider joining the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. This registry monitors pregnancy outcomes during treatment with anticonvulsants, such as pregabalin. You can learn more by calling 888-233-2334 or visiting this website.

Pregabalin and breastfeeding

Pregabalin should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with pregabalin.

This article describes pregabalin’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about pregabalin or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
• How does pregabalin compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
• What should I avoid while taking pregabalin?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Pregabalin — pregabalin capsule. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/588112b1-f8ba-4cb4-8f9d-8d1c2a9d7add/spl-doc
• Pregabalin — pregabalin solution. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d92c94e5-e542-4177-afa8-fa00ba17634c/spl-doc
• Pregabalin — pregabalin tablet, film coated, extended release. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/41c893cb-840d-41ef-aac6-09d443c9bf73/spl-doc

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.