Pregabid Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Pregabid Capsule contains Pregabalin, a medicine belonging to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, also known as gabapentinoids. It is used to treat certain types of nerve pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety disorders, and epilepsy. It works by calming overactive nerves in the brain. It is available as capsules and must be used exactly as prescribed by a doctor.

What is Pregabid Capsule

Pregabid is a medicine that contains Pregabalin. It is used to treat certain types of nerve pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety disorders, and epilepsy. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, also known as gabapentinoids.

Pregabid Capsule uses

• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Postherpetic Neuralgia
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuropathic pain
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Benefits of Pregabid Capsule

• Relieves pain due to nerve damage
• Helps manage fibromyalgia pain and tenderness
• Helps control certain types of anxiety disorders
• Helps control seizures in epilepsy

How Pregabid Capsule works

Pregabid works by calming overactive nerves in the brain. It reduces certain chemicals that carry pain and seizure signals, which helps relieve nerve pain, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia symptoms.

Pregabid Capsule dosage

Pregabid Capsule can be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time every day for the best results. Swallow the capsule whole; do not crush or chew it.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose; in that case, skip the missed dose and do not take two doses at once.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Pregabid is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• Tablet SR
• Tablet ER
• Oral solution

Side effects of Pregabid Capsule

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain
• Swelling in the hands or feet
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Blurred vision
• Lack of coordination
• Burning, numbness, tingling in the arms and feet
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Increased appetite
• Trouble concentrating

Serious

• Difficulty in breathing
• Chest tightness
• Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
• Unusual tiredness and weakness
• Loss of bladder control
• Allergic reactions
• Suicidal thoughts
• Mood changes
• Muscle problems (rarely)
• Blue-colored skin, lips, fingers, and toes
• Easy bruising or unusual bleeding
• Rapid weight gain
• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever

Warnings and precautions

• Pregabid is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. There is limited evidence on its safety, and it may carry risks for the unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Pregabid is not recommended while breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk and could pose risks to the baby. Talk to your doctor about safer options.
• Pregabid is not recommended for people with severe kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have any kidney problems.
• Use caution with other medicines that cause sedation.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Pregabid, as it can increase side effects like dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, and trouble thinking clearly.
• Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how Pregabid affects you, since it can cause dizziness or drowsiness.
• Pregabid can be habit-forming, so never take more than the prescribed dose.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, as it can cause withdrawal symptoms like headache, mood swings, and irritation.
• Pregabid can cause serious, even life-threatening, allergic reactions.
• Pregabid may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people.
• Pregabid can cause serious, life-threatening breathing problems, especially in older adults or people with lung disease, or those taking other medicines that cause drowsiness.
• Swelling in the hands, legs, and feet can be a serious problem for people with heart problems.

Storage

• Store Pregabid at room temperature, away from moisture and light.
• Keep it in a tightly closed container, out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not store it in the bathroom, where humidity can affect the medication.
• Check the expiration date regularly and dispose of any unused or expired Pregabid properly, following your pharmacist's or local guidelines.
• Dispose of unused Pregabid by taking it to a drug take-back program or collection site at a pharmacy or hospital. If these options aren't available, mix it with something undesirable like used coffee grounds, seal it in a plastic bag, and throw it away.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking Pregabid and get emergency medical help if you have swelling of your face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, throat, or neck, trouble breathing, or a rash, hives, or blisters.
• Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening thoughts about suicide or dying, depression, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggression, or unusual changes in behavior or mood.
• Seek emergency medical attention if your breathing becomes very slow.
• A caregiver should seek emergency help if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
• Call your doctor at once if you have weak or shallow breathing, blue-colored skin, lips, fingers or toes, confusion, extreme drowsiness or weakness, vision problems, skin sores (if you have diabetes), easy bruising or unusual bleeding, swelling in your hands or feet with rapid weight gain, or unexplained muscle pain with fever.

Alternatives

• Carbamazepine
• Nortriptyline
• Amitriptyline
• Duloxetine