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Quick facts
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 483440
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Pregabalin capsules are indicated for: Management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy Management of postherpetic neuralgia Adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older Management of fibromyalgia Management of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury Pregabalin capsules are indicated for: Neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (1 ) Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) (1) Adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older ( 1) Fibromyalgia ( 1) Neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury (1 )
About this medicine
Pregabalin is described chemically as ( S )-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid. The molecular formula is C 8 H 17 NO 2 and the molecular weight is 159.23. The chemical structure of pregabalin is: Pregabalin is a white or almost white powder with a pK a1 of 4.4 and a pK a2 of 10.1. It is freely soluble in water and both basic and acidic aqueous solutions. The log of the partition coefficient (Octanol : Water) is – 1.0. Pregabalin capsules are administered orally and are supplied as imprinted hard-shell capsules containing 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 225, and 300 mg of pregabalin, along with pregelatinized starch and talc as inactive ingredients. The capsule shells contain gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide. In addition, the orange & red capsule shells contain red iron oxide. The imprinting ink contains shellac, black iron oxide, propylene glycol, and potassium hydroxide.
Who should not take it
Pregabalin capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to pregabalin or any of its components. Angioedema and hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients receiving pregabalin therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Known hypersensitivity to pregabalin or any of its components. ( 4 )
Warnings and cautions
Angioedema (e.g., swelling of the throat, head and neck) can occur, and may be associated with life-threatening respiratory compromise requiring emergency treatment. Discontinue pregabalin immediately in these cases. ( 5.1 ) Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., hives, dyspnea, and wheezing) can occur. Discontinue pregabalin immediately in these patients. ( 5.2 ) Antiepileptic drugs, including pregabalin, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. ( 5.3 ) Respiratory depression: May occur with pregabalin, when used with concomitant CNS depressants or in the setting of underlying respiratory impairment. Monitor patients and adjust dosage as appropriate. (5.4 ) Pregabalin may cause dizziness and somnolence and impair patients’ ability to drive or operate machinery. ( 5.5 ) Increased seizure frequency or other adverse reactions may occur if pregabalin is rapidly discontinued. Withdraw pregabalin gradually over a minimum of 1 week. ( 5.6 ) Pregabalin may cause peripheral edema. Exercise caution when co-administering pregabalin and thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Angioedema There have been postmarketing reports of angioedema in patients during initial and chronic treatment with pregabalin. Specific symptoms included swelling of the face, mouth (tongue, lips, and gums), and neck (throat and larynx). There were reports of life-threatening angioedema with respiratory compromise requiring emergency treatment. Discontinue pregabalin immediately in patients with these symptoms. Exercise caution when prescribing pregabalin to patients who have had a previous episode of angioedema. In addition, patients who are taking other drugs associated with angioedema (e.g., angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACE-inhibitors]) may be at increased risk of developing angioedema. 5.2 Hypersensitivity There have been postmarketing reports of hypersensitivity in patients shortly after initiation of treatment with pregabalin. Adverse reactions included skin redness, blisters, hives, rash, dyspnea, and wheezing. Discontinue pregabalin immediately in patients with these symptoms. […]
Reported side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Dizziness and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions with Abrupt or Rapid Discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Peripheral Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Weight Gain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Tumorigenic Potential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Ophthalmological Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Creatine Kinase Elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Decreased Platelet Count [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] PR Interval Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] 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). ( 6.1 ) Most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 5% and twice placebo) in pediatric patients for the treatment of partial-onset seizures are increased weight and increased appetite. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. at 1-844-874-7464 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In all controlled and uncontrolled trials across various patient populations during the premarketing development of pregabalin, more than 10,000 patients have received pregabalin. Approximately 5,000 patients were treated for 6 months or more, over 3,100 patients were treated for 1 year or longer, and over 1,400 patients were treated for at least 2 years. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Since pregabalin is predominantly excreted unchanged in the urine, undergoes negligible metabolism in humans (less than 2% of a dose recovered in urine as metabolites), and does not bind to plasma proteins, its pharmacokinetics are unlikely to be affected by other agents through metabolic interactions or protein binding displacement. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that pregabalin is unlikely to be involved in significant pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Specifically, there are no pharmacokinetic interactions between pregabalin and the following antiepileptic drugs: carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and topiramate. Important pharmacokinetic interactions would also not be expected to occur between pregabalin and commonly used antiepileptic drugs [see Clinical Pharmacology (12) ] . Pharmacodynamics Multiple oral doses of pregabalin were co-administered with oxycodone, lorazepam, or ethanol. Although no pharmacokinetic interactions were seen, additive effects on cognitive and gross motor functioning were seen when pregabalin was co-administered with these drugs. No clinically important effects on respiration were seen.
Use in specific groups
Lactation: Breastfeeding is not recommended. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to pregabalin during pregnancy. To provide information regarding the effects of in utero exposure to pregabalin, physicians are advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking pregabalin capsules enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. This can be done by calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334, and must be done by patients themselves. Information on the registry can also be found at the website http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/. Risk Summary Observational studies on the use of pregabalin during pregnancy suggest a possible small increase in the rate of overall major birth defects, but there was no consistent or specific pattern of major birth defects identified (see Data ) . Available postmarketing data on miscarriage and other maternal, fetal, and long term developmental adverse effects were insufficient to identify risk associated with pregabalin. In animal reproduction studies, increased incidences of fetal structural abnormalities and other manifestations of developmental toxicity, including skeletal malformations, retarded ossification, and decreased fetal body weight were observed in the offspring of rats and rabbits given pregabalin orally during organogenesis, at doses that produced plasma pregabalin exposures (AUC) greater than or equal to 16 times human exposure at the maximum recommended dose (MRD) of 600 mg/day (see Data ) . In an animal development study, lethality, growth retardation, and nervous and reproductive system functional impairment were observed in the offspring of rats given pregabalin during gestation and lactation. The no-effect dose for developmental toxicity was approximately twice the human exposure at MRD. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. […]
If too much is taken
Signs, Symptoms and Laboratory Findings of Acute Overdosage in Humans In the postmarketing experience, the most commonly reported adverse events observed with pregabalin when taken in overdose include reduced consciousness, depression/anxiety, confusional state, agitation, and restlessness. Seizures and heart block have also been reported. Deaths have been reported in the setting of lone pregabalin overdose and in combination with other CNS depressants. Treatment or Management of Overdose There is no specific antidote for overdose with pregabalin. If indicated, elimination of unabsorbed drug may be attempted by emesis or gastric lavage; observe usual precautions to maintain the airway. General supportive care of the patient is indicated including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. Contact a Certified Poison Control Center for up-to-date information on the management of overdose with pregabalin. Pregabalin can be removed by hemodialysis. Standard hemodialysis procedures result in significant clearance of pregabalin (approximately 50% in 4 hours).
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 23 September 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.