II. Precautions: Risk of Abuse

  1. Gabapentin and Pregabalin (Lyrica) are abused by patients on Opiates to potentiate CNS Opiate effects
  2. More than one quarter of Opiate patients have abused Gabapentin
  3. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is more potent with faster onset and has higher abuse potential than Gabapentin
  4. Smith (2012) Br J Gen Pract 62(601):406-7 +PMID:22867659 [PubMed]

III. Indications

  1. Anticonvulsant
    1. Adjunct for partial-onset Seizures
  2. Neuropathic Pain Management
    1. Fibromyalgia
    2. Peripheral Neuropathy
      1. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
      2. Postherpetic Neuralgia

IV. Mechanism

  1. Lipophilic (greater diffusion across blood brain barrier)
  2. Binds alpha2-delta1 subunit of Central Nervous System voltage-gated Calcium channels
  3. GABA Receptor Agonist, but does not bind GABA Receptors or Benzodiazepine receptors

V. Dosing: Adults - Chronic Neuropathic Pain (Diabetic Neuropathy, Postherpetic Neuralgia, Fibromyalgia)

  1. Regular Release
    1. Start 50 mg orally three times daily or 75 mg orally twice daily
      1. May start at 25 mg orally three times daily to maximize tolerability
    2. May increase after 1 week to 100 mg orally three times daily or 150 mg orally twice daily
    3. Maximum dose: 300 mg (Diabetic Neuropathy), 450 mg (Fibromyalgia), 600 mg/day (Postherpetic Neuralgia)
  2. Extended Release (Pregabalin XR, Lyrica CR)
    1. Start 165 mg orally daily after evening meal
    2. May increase after 1 week to 330 mg orally daily
    3. Maximum: 660 mg/day
      1. Maximum 330 mg if CrCl 30 to 60 ml/min
      2. Avoid CR if CrCl <30 ml/min (use regular release capsules instead)
  3. Stopping
    1. Taper off agent over 1 week or more
    2. Avoid stopping abruptly due to withdrawal symptoms

VI. Dosing: Partial Seizures

  1. Adult
    1. Start 50 mg orally three times daily or 75 mg orally twice daily
    2. Maximum: 600 mg/day
  2. Child (over age 1 month)
    1. Weight > 30 kg
      1. Start 2.5 mg/kg/day divided 2-3 times per day
      2. Titrate as needed to 10 mg/kg/day in divided doses (maximum 600 mg/day)
    2. Weight <30 kg
      1. Start 3.5 mg/kg/day divided 3 times per day
      2. Titrate as needed to 14 mg/kg/day in divided doses (maximum 600 mg/day)

VII. Metabolism

  1. Decrease Pregabalin dosing in Creatinine Clearance <60 ml/min

VIII. Safety

  1. Unknown Safety in Lactation
  2. First trimester use linked to possible birth defects
    1. Winterfeld (2016) Neurology 86(24): 2251-7 [PubMed]

IX. Adverse effects

XI. References

  1. (2022) Presc Lett, Resource #361206, Antiseizure Medications
  2. Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 56-7
  3. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

pregabalin (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
PREGABALIN 100 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.07 each
PREGABALIN 150 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.08 each
PREGABALIN 20 MG/ML SOLUTION Generic $0.12 per ml
PREGABALIN 200 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.09 each
PREGABALIN 225 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.09 each
PREGABALIN 25 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.07 each
PREGABALIN 300 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.10 each
PREGABALIN 50 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.07 each
PREGABALIN 75 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.08 each
lyrica (on 3/15/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
LYRICA 100 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.07 each
LYRICA 150 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.08 each
LYRICA 200 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.09 each
LYRICA 225 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.09 each
LYRICA 300 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.10 each
LYRICA 50 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.07 each
LYRICA 75 MG CAPSULE Generic $0.08 each