Daily Medication Pearl: Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Indication: Lyrica is indicated for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury nerve pain, and pain after shingles in adult patients.

Insight:

• Dosing: For adult indications, begin dosing at 150 mg/day.
• Dosage forms: Capsules 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg. Oral solution 20 mg/ mL.
• Adverse events: Most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 5% and twice placebo) in adults are dizziness, somnolence, dry mouth, edema, blurred vision, weight gain, and thinking abnormal (primarily difficulty with concentration/attention).
• Mechanism of action: Pregabalin binds with high affinity to the alpha2-delta site (an auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels) in central nervous system tissues.

Source:

(fda.gov)