Pregabalin Lyrica is used to help relieve certain types of nerve pain or seizures. Pregabalin is useful for treatment of nerve pain due to diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia and for helping to control seizures in epilepsy. Pregabalin may be prescribed by your health care provider for other uses. Generic pregabalin capsules are not available.

The dose of pregabalin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of pregabalin. If your dose is different do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also the number of doses you take each day the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking pregabalin.

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dry mouth constipation gas headache dizziness drowsiness or lightheadedness. If they continue or are bothersome check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience mental/mood changes confusion loss of coordination muscle weakness bloating or swelling of ankles feet or hands sudden weight gain unusual tiredness or weakness muscle aches pain tenderness or weakness fever speaking problems or inability to control urination. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience a fast or irregular heartbeat or changes in vision. If you notice other effects not listed above contact your doctor nurse or pharmacist.

alcohol found in drinks or some medicines
antihistamines such as Benadryl
barbiturates such as phenobarbital or butabarbital
entacapone or tolcapone medicines used for Parkinsons disease
medicines for diabetes like pioglitazone Actos or rosiglitazone Avandia
medicines used to help you sleep or relax such as Ativan lorazepam Xanax alprazolam or Valium diazepam
pain medications such as morphine or codeine
phenothiazines used for certain mental disorders or for nausea/vomiting for example Compazine or Mellaril
tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline Elavil or imipramine Tofranil

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including non-prescription medicines nutritional supplements or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs.

IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as possible. However if it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses

Pregabalin is used to help control some types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

This medicine is also used to manage a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia pain after shingles. It is also used for pain caused by nerve damage associated with diabetes.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C 59 and 86 degrees F. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for a regular check on your progress. You may want to keep a personal record at home of how you feel your condition is responding to pregabalin treatment. You may want to share this information with your prescriber or health care professional at each visit.

You may get drowsy or dizzy while using pregabalin. Do not drive use machinery or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how pregabalin affects you. To reduce dizzy or fainting spells do not sit or stand up quickly especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you have a heart condition such as congestive heart failure and notice that you are retaining water edema and have swelling in your hands or feet contact your health care provider immediately.