Pregabalin capsules

What is this medicine?

PREGABALIN (pre GAB a lin) is used to treat nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, spinal cord injury, and fibromyalgia. It is also used to control seizures in epilepsy.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 month for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in vision

• chest pain

• confusion

• jerking or unusual movements of any part of your body

• loss of memory

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands

• unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• dry mouth

• headache

• nausea

• tremors

• trouble sleeping

• weight gain

What may interact with this medicine?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold

• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep

• certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline

• certain medicines for diabetes

• certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone

• general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol

• local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• narcotic medicines for pain

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

This medicine may cause accidental overdose and death if it taken by other adults, children, or pets. Mix any unused medicine with a substance like cat litter or coffee grounds. Then throw the medicine away in a sealed container like a sealed bag or a coffee can with a lid. Do not use the medicine after the expiration date.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse problem

• kidney disease

• lung or breathing disease

• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member

• an unusual or allergic reaction to pregabalin, gabapentin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain if you are taking this medicine for seizures, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

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

The use of this medicine may increase the chance of suicidal thoughts or actions. Pay special attention to how you are responding while on this medicine. Any worsening of mood, or thoughts of suicide or dying should be reported to your health care professional right away.

This medicine has caused reduced sperm counts in some men. This may interfere with the ability to father a child. You should talk to your doctor or health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.

Women who become pregnant while using this medicine for seizures may enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. This registry collects information about the safety of antiepileptic drug use during pregnancy.