Pregabalin for Nerve Pain conditions: information for patients
You should not stop taking pregabalin suddenly. Please contact your doctor before stopping.
Why do I need pregabalin?
Pregabalin is used if gabapentin caused too many side effects for you to find out whether it would help your pain.
Like gabapentin, pregabalin is used to treat nerve pain conditions (also known as neuropathic pain), which are not
usually relieved by normal painkillers.
How long will pregabalin take to work?
As the dose is increased gradually to reduce side effects it may take a few weeks for you to get the full effect.
Your doctor/nurse will agree an individual pain relief goal with you. This goal may not be a complete loss of pain,
but an improvement in pain such that you are able to undertake an activity such as walking to local shops.
Should I continue to take other regular pain killers?
It is important that you continue to take your other regular painkillers, unless you have been advised to stop taking
these by your doctor/nurse.
What are the possible side effects?
The most common side effects of pregabalin include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, confusion, decreased
concentration, blurred vision, weight gain and ankle swelling. Most of these side effects may be reduced by
increasing the dose gradually and they may disappear after taking the same dose for a few days. You
must not drive or operate machines if you are drowsy, dizzy or have side-effects that affect your ability to perform
these activities.
Is it safe for me to take other medicines or alcohol with pregabalin?
Pregabalin is unlikely to interact with other medicines. Other medicines may have similar side effects to
pregabalin which may be made worse when taken in combination with pregabalin. Before you take or buy any
new medicines check with your doctor or pharmacist. Drinking alcohol with pregabalin may make you feel
more drowsy than expected and so alcohol should be avoided if these side effects are troublesome.
How do I take pregabalin?
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. Pregabalin can be taken on an empty or full stomach.
You will be prescribed 75mg capsules (if aged under 60 years) or 25mg capsules (if aged over 60 years).
The dose should be taken and increased as set out in the following section and table below. Your doctor/nurse
will discuss and record the following:
 Pain relief goal: …………………………………………………………
 Target dose: …………………………(the maximum total daily dose is 8 capsules of the 75mg strength)
What is the traffic light assessment tool?
The traffic light assessment tool (overleaf) is used to assess your pain response to pregabalin. Your doctor/nurse
will explain the tool to you.
You should keep increasing the dose guided by the table below and traffic light response until:
a) Your pain relief goal or maximum pain relief is reached (increasing the dose does not improve pain relief)
b) Any side effects cannot be tolerated (if pain relief is good then the total daily dose can be reduced by 1 capsule)
c) Target dose achieved (your ongoing treatment plan will be discussed at your next review appointment)
You should complete the ‘Pain Response’ and ‘State any side effects’ sections in the table below for each dose
increase and bring to your next review appointment for discussion.
Time
interval
Day 1-3
Day 4-6
Day 7-9
Day 10-12
Day 13-15
Day 16-18
Day 19-21
Day 22-24
Number of capsules to
take and when
Morning
Evening
0
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
Pain Response
(please circle)
Green
Green
Green
Green
Green
Green
Green
Green
Amber
Amber
Amber
Amber
Amber
Amber
Amber
Amber
State any side effects
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Red
Pregabalin capsules are available in a variety of strengths. When a stable dose has been achieved, and you have
used up your existing supply, the capsule strength may be changed to reduce the number of capsules you need
to take every day.
Further information on pregabalin can be found in the patient information leaflet supplied with the capsules.
Traffic Light Assessment Tool
1. GREEN LIGHT
= Pain goal achieved and drug is well tolerated
2. AMBER LIGHT
= A marginal pain benefit with some side effects
3. RED LIGHT
= No pain benefit AND/OR intolerable side effects