Pregabalin
RxNorm 483448· PREGABALIN· ORAL
St. Mary's Medical Park Pharmacy
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Pregabalin capsules are indicated for: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 17 years of age and older • Management of fibromyalgia • Management of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury Pediatric use information is approved for Pfizer’s LYRICA (pregabalin) Capsules and Oral Solution products. However, due to Pfizer’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information. 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 17 years of age and older ( 1 ) Fibromyalgia ( 1 ) Neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For adult indications, begin dosing at 150 mg/day. ( 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , 2.5 , 2.6 ) Dosing recommendations: INDICATION Dosing Regimen Maximum Dose DPN Pain ( 2.2 ) 3 divided doses per day 300 mg/day within 1 week PHN ( 2.3 ) 2 or 3 divided doses per day 300 mg/day within 1 week. Maximum dose of 600 mg/day. Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures in Adult Patients 17 years of age and older ( 2.4 ) 2 or 3 divided doses per day Maximum dose of 600 mg/day. Fibromyalgia ( 2.5 ) 2 divided doses per day 300 mg/day within 1 week. Maximum dose of 450 mg/day. Neuropathic Pain Associated with Spinal Cord Injury ( 2.6 ) 2 divided doses per day 300 mg/day within 1 week. Maximum dose of 600 mg/day. Dose should be adjusted in adult patients with reduced renal function. ( 2.7 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Pregabalin capsules are given orally with or without food. When discontinuing pregabalin, taper gradually over a minimum of 1 week. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Because pregabalin is eliminated primarily by renal excretion, adjust the dose in adult patients with reduced renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ] . 2.2 Neuropathic Pain Associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Adults The maximum recommended dose of pregabalin capsule is 100 mg three times a day (300 mg/day) in patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. Begin dosing at 50 mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 300 mg/day within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability. Although pregabalin was also studied at 600 mg/day, there is no evidence that this dose confers additional significant benefit and this dose was less well tolerated. In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions, treatment with doses above 300 mg/day is not recommended [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 2.3 Postherpetic Neuralgia in Adults The recommended dose of pregabalin capsule is 75 mg to 150 mg two times a day, or 50 mg to 100 mg three times a day (150mg/day to 300 mg/day) in patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. Begin dosing at 75 mg two times a day, or 50 mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 300 mg/day within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability. Patients who do not experience sufficient pain relief following 2 to 4 weeks of treatment with 300 mg/day, and who are able to tolerate pregabalin, may be treated with up to 300 mg two times a day, or 200 mg three times a day (600 mg/day). In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions and the higher rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions, reserve dosing above 300 mg/day for those patients who have on-going pain and are tolerating 300 mg daily [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 2.4 Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures in Patients 17 Years of Age and Older The recommended dosage for adult patients 17 years of age and older are included in Table 1. Administer the total daily dosage orally in two or three divided doses as indicated in Table 1. Based on clinical response and tolerability, dosage may be increased, approximately weekly. Table 1: Recommended Dosage for Adult Patients 17 Years and Older Age and Body Weight Recommended Initial Dosage Recommended Maximum Dosage Frequency of Administration Adults (17 years and older) 150 mg/day 600 mg/day 2 or 3 divided doses Both the efficacy and adverse event profiles of pregabalin have been shown to be dose-related. The effect of dose escalation rate on the tolerability of pregabalin has not been formally studied. The efficacy of adjunctive pregabalin in patients taking gabapentin has not been evaluated in controlled trials. Consequently, dosing recommendations for the use of pregabalin with gabapentin cannot be offered. Pediatric use information is approved for Pfizer’s LYRICA (pregabalin) Capsules and Oral Solution products. However, due to Pfizer’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pe…
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 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 ) Increased seizure frequency or other adverse reactions may occur if pregabalin is rapidly discontinued. Withdraw pregabalin gradually over a minimum of 1 week. ( 5.3 ) Antiepileptic drugs, including pregabalin, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. ( 5.4 ) Pregabalin may cause peripheral edema. Exercise caution when co-administering pregabalin and thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents. ( 5.5 ) Pregabalin may cause dizziness and somnolence and impair patients’ ability to drive or operate machinery.( 5.6 ) 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 capsules immediately in patients with these symptoms. Exercise caution when prescribing pregabalin capsules 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 capsules immediately in patients with these symptoms. 5.3 Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions with Abrupt or Rapid Discontinuation As with all antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), withdraw pregabalin capsules gradually to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency in patients with seizure disorders. Following abrupt or rapid discontinuation of pregabalin, some patients reported symptoms including insomnia, nausea, headache, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, and diarrhea. If pregabalin is discontinued, taper the drug gradually over a minimum of 1 week rather than discontinue the drug abruptly. 5.4 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including pregabalin, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Monitor patients treated with any AED for any indication for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono-and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug-treated patients in the trials and none in placebo-treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide. The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal …
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Pregabalin capsule is 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 )
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 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.
Pregnancy
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 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 There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with pregabalin in pregnant women. However, 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 2-4% and of miscarriage is 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Data Animal Data When pregnant rats were given pregabalin (500, 1250, or 2500 mg/kg) orally throughout the period of organogenesis, incidences of specific skull alterations attributed to abnormally advanced ossification (premature fusion of the jugal and nasal sutures) were increased at greater than or equal to 1250 mg/kg, and incidences of skeletal variations and retarded ossification were increased at all doses. Fetal body weights were decreased at the highest dose. The low dose in this study was associated with a plasma exposure (AUC) approximately 17 times human exposure at the MRD of 600 mg/day. A no-effect dose for rat embryo-fetal developmental toxicity was not established. When pregnant rabbits were given pregabalin (250, 500, or 1250 mg/kg) orally throughout the period of organogenesis, decreased fetal body weight and increased incidences of skeletal malformations, visceral variations, and retarded ossification were observed at the highest dose. The no-effect dose for developmental toxicity in rabbits (500 mg/kg) was associated with a plasma exposure approximately 16 times human exposure at the MRD. In a study in which female rats were dosed with pregabalin (50, 100, 250, 1250, or 2500 mg/kg) throughout gestation and lactation, offspring growth was reduced at greater than or equal to 100 mg/kg and offspring survival was decreased at greater than or equal to 250 mg/kg. The effect on offspring survival was pronounced at doses greater than or equal to 1250 mg/kg, with 100% mortality in high-dose litters. When offspring were tested as adults, neurobehavioral abnormalities (decreased auditory startle responding) were observed at greater than or equal to 250 mg/kg and reproductive impairment (decreased fertility and litter size) was seen at 1250 mg/kg. The no-effect dose for pre-and postnatal developmental toxicity in rats (50 mg/kg) produced a plasma exposure approximately 2 times human exposure at the MRD. In the prenatal-postnatal study in rats, pregabalin prolonged gestation and induced dystocia at exposures greater than or equal to 50 times the mean human exposure (AUC (0–24) of 123 mcg∙hr/mL) at the MRD.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- drug ineffective26,731
- pain26,105
- fatigue15,357
- dizziness14,672
- nausea14,268
- off label use13,523
- headache12,871
- malaise12,735
- somnolence11,694
- weight increased11,503
- pain in extremity11,283
- fall10,906
- dyspnoea10,280
- diarrhoea9,991
- insomnia9,647
- arthralgia9,386
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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) ] Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions with Abrupt or Rapid Discontinuation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Peripheral Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Dizziness and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Weight Gain [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Tumorigenic Potential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Ophthalmological Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Creatine Kinase Elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Decreased Platelet Count [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] PR Interval Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] 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 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ScieGen at (855) 724-3436 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 5000 patients were treated for 6 months or more, over 3100 patients were treated for 1 year or longer, and over 1400 patients were treated for at least 2 years. Adverse Reactions Most Commonly Leading to Discontinuation in All Premarketing Controlled Clinical Studies In premarketing controlled trials of all populations combined, 14% of patients treated with pregabalin and 7% of patients treated with placebo discontinued prematurely due to adverse reactions. In the pregabalin treatment group, the adverse reactions most frequently leading to discontinuation were dizziness (4%) and somnolence (4%). In the placebo group, 1% of patients withdrew due to dizziness and less than 1% withdrew due to somnolence. Other adverse reactions that led to discontinuation from controlled trials more frequently in the pregabalin group compared to the placebo group were ataxia, confusion, asthenia, thinking abnormal, blurred vision, incoordination, and peripheral edema (1% each). Most Common Adverse Reactions in All Controlled Clinical Studies in Adults In premarketing controlled trials of all adult patient populations combined (including DPN, PHN, and adult patients with partial-onset seizures), dizziness, somnolence, dry mouth, edema, blurred vision, weight gain, and "thinking abnormal" (primarily difficulty with concentration/attention) were more commonly reported by subjects treated with pregabalin than by subjects treated with placebo (greater than or equal to 5% and twice the rate of that seen in placebo). Controlled Studies with Neuropathic Pain Associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation In clinical trials in adults with neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 9% of patients treated with pregabalin and 4% of patients treated with placebo discontinued prematurely due to adverse reactions. In the pregabalin treatment group, the most common reasons for discontinuation due to adverse reactions were dizziness (3%) and somnolence (2%). In comparison, less than 1% of placebo patients withdrew due to dizziness and somnolence. Other reasons for discontinuation from the trials, occurring with greater frequency in the pregabalin group than in the placebo group, were asthenia, confusion, a…
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