Do not take Pregabalin MSN

If you are allergic to pregabalin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and Precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Pregabalin MSN.

• Some patients taking pregabalin have reported symptoms suggesting an allergic reaction. These symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, as well as diffuse skin rash. Should you experience any of these reactions, you should contact your physician immediately.
• Pregabalin has been associated with dizziness and somnolence, which could increase the occurrence of accidental injury (fall) in elderly patients. Therefore, you should be careful until you are used to any effect the medicine might have.
• Pregabalin may cause blurring or loss of vision, or other changes in eyesight, many of which are temporary. You should immediately tell your doctor if you experience any changes in your vision.
• Some patients with diabetes who gain weight while taking pregabalin may need an alteration in their diabetic medicines.
• Certain side effects may be more common, such as sleepiness, because patients with spinal cord injury may be taking other medicines to treat, for example, pain or spasticity, that have similar side effects to Pregabalin MSN and the severity of these effects may be increased when taken together.
• There have been reports of heart failure in some patients when taking pregabalin; these patients were mostly elderly with cardiovascular conditions. Before taking this medicine you should tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease.
• There have been reports of kidney failure in some patients when taking pregabalin. If while taking Pregabalin MSN you notice decreased urination, you should tell your doctor as stopping the medicine may improve this.
• A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as Pregabalin MSN have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.
• When Pregabalin MSN is taken with other medicines that may cause constipation (such as some types of pain medicines) it is possible that gastrointestinal problems may occur (e.g. constipation, blocked or paralysed bowel). Tell your doctor if you experience constipation, especially if you are prone to this problem.
• Before taking this medicine you should tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or any drug abuse or dependence. Do not take more medicine than prescribed.
• There have been reports of convulsions when taking pregabalin or shortly after stopping pregabalin. If you experience a convulsion, contact your doctor immediately.
• There have been reports of reduction in brain function (encephalopathy) in some patients taking pregabalin when they have other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have a history of any serious medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease.
• There have been reports of breathing difficulties. If you have nervous system disorders, respiratory disorders, renal impairment, or you are older than 65, your doctor may prescribe you a different dosing regimen. Contact your doctor if you experience trouble breathing or shallow breaths.
• Serious skin rashes including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported in association with pregabalin. Stop using pregabalin and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4.

Children and adolescents

The safety and efficacy in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age) has not been established and therefore, pregabalin should not be used in this age group.

Other medicines and Pregabalin MSN

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Pregabalin MSN and certain other medicines may influence each other (interaction). When taken with certain other medicines which have sedative effects (including opioids), Pregabalin MSN may potentiate these effects, and could lead to respiratory failure, coma and death. The degree of dizziness, sleepiness and decreased concentration may be increased if Pregabalin MSN is taken together with medicines containing:

• Oxycodone (used as a pain-killer)
• Lorazepam (used for treating anxiety)
• Alcohol

Pregabalin MSN may be taken with oral contraceptives.

Pregabalin MSN with food, drink and alcohol

Pregabalin MSN capsules may be taken with or without food.

It is advised not to drink alcohol while taking Pregabalin MSN.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, you must tell your doctor straight away and discuss possible risks the medicine you are taking might pose to your unborn baby.
• If you are planning to become pregnant you should discuss your treatment with your doctor as early as possible before you become pregnant.
• You should not stop your treatment without discussing this with your doctor

Pregnancy

Pregabalin should not be taken during pregnancy or when breast-feeding, unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. Effective contraception must be used by women of child-bearing potential. There has been limited research specifically looking at the use of pregabalin in pregnant women. A recent study suggested that women who took pregabalin while they were pregnant might have a slightly higher chance of having a baby born with physical birth abnormalities. More research is needed to better understand and inform on the safety of use of pregabalin during pregnancy and whether it is associated with an increased risk of harm to the unborn child.

Driving and using machines

Pregabalin MSN may produce dizziness, sleepiness and decreased concentration. You should not drive, operate complex machinery or engage in other potentially hazardous activities until you know whether this medicine affects your ability to perform these activities.