Do you sometimes experience unbearable pain, like a jolt of electricity, tingling, or burning down your legs and arms? Pregabalin is a drug that doctors often prescribe for nerve pain that comes with diseases like
diabetes . You may know it by the name Lyrica CR. If you have been prescribed this drug, you may have a lot of questions about it. So today, let's talk about this Pregabalin Extended-Release tablet in a very simple way, in our own language.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Pregabalin is a medicine that is used to treat nerve
pain . When some nerves in our body's nervous system become
overactive , we experience unbearable pain. So what this medicine does is calm those
overactive nerves. Then the pain gradually decreases. Although it is mainly given for nerve pain, sometimes your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other medical conditions. So if you have any questions about this medicine, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting Pregabalin,
it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Especially if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell them about it.
| Your medical condition or problem | Why is it important to talk about it? |
|---|
| If you have had depression or suicidal thoughts | Pregabalin can sometimes affect mood, so it's important to let your doctor know about this. |
| If you have heart disease (such as heart failure) | This medication can cause increased fluid retention (edema), which can be harmful to heart patients. |
| If you have kidney disease | This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, the dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| If you have lung diseases (such as asthma, COPD) | The drowsiness caused by this medication may pose an increased risk to patients with respiratory problems. |
| If you have a drug or alcohol addiction | This medication has some degree of addictive potential, so the doctor should be aware of that. |
| If you have allergies to Pregabalin or any other ingredients | This information is essential to prevent an allergic reaction to the medicine. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | You should discuss the safety of this medication with your doctor before making a decision during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it must be used as directed. Keep these things in mind when taking Pregabalin Extended-Release Tablets.
- Take with water: Take the pill with a glass of water.
- Take it at the same time: Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. It is usually recommended to take it after dinner.
- Swallow the pill whole: This is the most important thing. This is an Extended-Release pill, meaning it is designed to be absorbed slowly into the body. So never break, crush, or chew the pill. Doing so can cause the medicine to enter the body all at once and cause dangerous side effects .
- Take with food: This medicine is usually said to be taken with or after a meal.
- Don't stop: Keep using it until your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping it suddenly may cause you to have problems.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Sometimes we forget to take our medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Do not take two doses at once for any reason. What if you take more medicine than prescribed? (Overdose)
Imagine that you accidentally took more than the prescribed amount of medicine. If that happens, don't delay.
Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
And remember, this medicine has been prescribed for you only.
Never share your medicine with anyone else. What other medications may interact with Pregabalin?
Pregabalin can interact with some other medications, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (Western, Ayurvedic, vitamins, and supplements).
| Type of medicine/substance | Description and risk |
|---|
| Alcohol | Taking Pregabalin with alcohol can cause severe side effects such as excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and decreased alertness. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication. |
| Medications that cause drowsiness | There is a risk of excessive drowsiness and breathing difficulties when taking Pregabalin with sleeping pills, anxiety medications (e.g., Benzodiazepines), allergy medications (Antihistamines), and some painkillers (Opioids). |
| Some medications for diabetes | When medications such as Pioglitazone and Rosiglitazone are taken with Pregabalin, there is an increased risk of side effects such as swelling and weight gain. |
| Some medications for high blood pressure | Pregabalin may interact with some blood pressure medications, so inform your doctor about it. |
Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
The risk of stopping the medication suddenly
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor, thinking that your symptoms have subsided. Doing so may cause withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, and nausea. If you need to stop taking the medicine, your doctor will tell you how to gradually reduce the dose and stop taking it.
Driving and operating machinery
Some people may experience drowsiness, dizziness, and decreased alertness while taking this medication. Therefore,
avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know how this medication affects your body. Also, stand up straight when getting out of bed or a chair. Otherwise, you may feel dizzy and fall.
Take care of your mental health.
This is very important. A small number of people taking Pregabalin may experience increased depression or suicidal thoughts that were not present before. If you experience any of these changes in your mood or behavior, or if your family members notice any of these changes,
talk to your doctor right away. Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Pregabalin can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some of these are serious, while others are common.
Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately: Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported
to your doctor if they persist.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|
| Serious allergic reactions (Allergic reactions / Angioedema) | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. This is a serious emergency. |
| Vision changes | Sudden blurred vision or other visual disturbances. |
| Muscle damage | Unexplained muscle aches, extreme fatigue, dark yellow or brown urine. |
| Changes in mental status | Suicidal thoughts, increased depression, agitation. |
| Difficulty breathing | Breathing is slow or difficult. |
| Dizziness and drowsiness | It is a condition that can occur in early life for many people. |
| Dry mouth | It can be controlled by drinking water frequently and chewing sugar-free gum. |
| Swelling of ankles, hands, and feet | This can happen due to fluid accumulation in the body. |
| Weight gain | This can be controlled through diet and exercise. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
Safe storage
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. This medicine can be very dangerous if accidentally ingested by them.
- To protect against theft, keep it in a well-closed and lockable place.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
Disposing of leftover or expired medication
Do not keep expired or unwanted medications at home. Be careful when disposing of them.
- The best way is to join the medication collection programs available at government hospitals or some pharmacies.take-back program) to hand these over.
- If that's not possible, check the instructions on the medicine label or box. Some medicines can be flushed down the toilet. But don't do it unless it specifically says so.
- If you are throwing them in the trash, take the pills out of the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and put them in a sealable bag or container before throwing them in the trash. This will reduce the chance that someone else will take them and use them.
Take-Home Message
- Pregabalin is a medication for nerve pain that should only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor.
- When taking this medicine, do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole with water.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medication, as it can have very dangerous consequences.
- If you experience serious allergic symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or difficulty breathing, go to a hospital immediately.
- If you experience any changes in your mood, increased depression, or suicidal thoughts, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without consulting your doctor.
Pregabalin, Lyrica CR, nerve pain, medicine, side effects, diabetes, Sri Lanka
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