Pregabalin

Pregabalin is used to treat nerve pain, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia. While it is not known exactly how the drug works to treat these conditions, it is known to bind to certain parts of calcium channels in the central nervous system. The drug is taken by mouth, usually two or three times a day. Some possible side effects of pregabalin include dizziness, coordination problems, and weight gain.
 

What Is Pregabalin?

Pregabalin (Lyrica®) is a prescription medication used to treat the following conditions:
 
  • Epilepsy -- The medication is approved to be used along with other seizure medications to treat a certain type of seizures called partial seizures.
     
  • Fibromyalgia -- Pregabalin helps relieve the pain associated with this condition.
     
  • Nerve pain -- The medication is also approved to treat the chronic nerve pain that occurs after an outbreak of shingles (known medically as postherpetic neuralgia) or due to diabetes (known medically as diabetic neuropathy).
     
(Click What Is Pregabalin Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Pregabalin is made by Pfizer, Inc.
 

How Does Pregabalin Work?

It is not known exactly how pregabalin works to prevent partial seizures in people with epilepsy. In addition, it is not known exactly how the medication works for nerve pain or fibromyalgia. Pregabalin is known to bind to certain parts of calcium channels in the central nervous system, and this may be how it works for seizures, nerve pain, and anxiety. Although not approved for anxiety treatment, it has anti-anxiety properties and may be an effective anxiety medication.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD