Take pregabalin the way your GP tells you to.
You will usually take it 2 or 3 times a day.
You can take pregabalin with or without food, but you should take it the same way each day. Try to space your doses evenly throughout the day.
When you start taking pregabalin
Your GP will prescribe a low dose to start with and increase it over a few days. This is to prevent side effects.
It can take a few weeks or more for pregabalin to work.
You’ll usually take pregabalin:
- for many years if you have epilepsy, once your illness is under control
- for several months if you have nerve pain or anxiety - you may need to keep taking it to stop symptoms coming back
You may feel sleepy or dizzy after taking pregabalin. This may increase your risk of falling.
If you take too much pregabalin
If you take too much pregabalin you may:
- feel sleepy
- feel confused or agitated
- have a seizure
- pass out
Emergency action required: Contact your GP or go to an emergency department (ED) immediately if:
- you take too much pregabalin
Get someone else to drive you or call 112 or 999 for an ambulance. Do not drive yourself.
Take the pregabalin packet or the leaflet with you, as well as any remaining medicine.
If you forget to take pregabalin
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose.
If you only remember within 2 hours of the next dose, leave out the missed dose. Take your next dose as normal.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Try to take pregabalin at the same time each day. Missing doses may trigger a seizure if you have epilepsy.
Set an alarm as a reminder if you often forget doses.
Stopping pregabalin
Do not stop taking pregabalin without talking to your GP, even if you feel fine.
Stopping pregabalin suddenly can cause serious problems, including:
- seizures that will not stop if you have epilepsy
- severe withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, pain and feeling sick
Talk to your GP about controlling withdrawal seizures and other symptoms by gradually reducing the dose of pregabalin.
Other withdrawal symptoms include:
- feeling agitated or anxious
- panic attacks
- your heart feels like it is beating irregularly (palpitations)
- difficulty sleeping
- shaking
- sweating
- aches and pain
- feeling restless
- headache
- diarrhoea
- flu like symptoms
- dizziness
See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of possible withdrawal symptoms.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
Pregabalin and alcohol
It's best to stop drinking alcohol while taking pregabalin. It may make you feel sleepy. It might also affect your breathing.
Taking pregabalin with other medicines
Tell your GP or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines before taking pregabalin.
Other medicines may interfere with how pregabalin works. They can increase the risk of side effects, or make side effects worse.
These may include:
- strong painkillers such as morphine or oxycodone
- medicines that make you feel sleepy or dizzy