Pregabalin: What Is It For?

Like all medicines on the market, pregabalin can also cause a number of side effects which should be taken into account when starting treatment.

Pregabalin is an active substance used primarily in the treatment of neuropathic pain and seizures. Regarding the latter, studies have shown that pregabalin reduces the frequency of the onset of partial seizures when given as an adjunct.

Throughout the article, we will see the main characteristics of the pathologies for which this active principle is indicated, as well as its general characteristics.

Mechanism of action: how does pregabalin work in the body?

Pregabalin is a substance analogous to the quintessential inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, GABA. GABA, like other neurotransmitters, is a chemical that is synthesized in the body and is responsible for transmitting signals from one neuron to the next.

Depending on whether it binds to one receptor or another, certain or other actions will be triggered in the body. Activation of the GABA-A receptor, which is the predominant one in the brain, leads to a decrease in neuronal activity, which would justify the anticonvulsant effect of pregabalin.

However, the exact mechanism of pregabalin is not yet fully understood. Indeed, there is no evidence that it binds to GABA-A or GABA-B receptors. It also does not affect the reception of this neurotransmitter.

For which diseases should pregabalin be used?

As we already know, pregabalin remains indicated, among other diseases, for the treatment of neuropathic pain. It is also indicated in combination with other medicines for the treatment of epilepsy, especially in partial seizures.

Pregabalin and seizures

As we said, pregabalin is one of the last anti-epileptic drugs introduced for the treatment of partial epilepsy.

In particular, it appears that it may play a role in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures when administered as an adjunct. This is confirmed by a survey published in 2008 by the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.

Knowing about epileptic seizures

Epileptic seizures are the result of a disorder of the central nervous system. They occur because brain activity does not work as it should and produces shocks that generate seizures. If the appropriate treatment and prevention measures are not taken into account, attacks can become fatal.

The symptoms and how they are triggered vary from person to person. In addition, anyone can suffer from this disease. However, if a person has suffered from one type of epilepsy, if it comes back it is likely to be the same type, although this is not always the case and symptoms can vary.

However, for a doctor to diagnose you as a patient with epilepsy, you must have had at least two unprovoked seizures.

What is neuropathic pain?

It is a pathology that affects around 7 to 10% of the European population. These patients describe neuropathic pain as a stabbing, burning pain. In addition, they sometimes feel a kind of tingling and pulsing in different parts of the body.

It is pain that occurs because the nervous system is not functioning optimally. In this way, this system interprets the stimuli in an abnormal way. This triggers the pain with stimuli that shouldn’t be causing it.

This disease tends to last over time, appearing intermittently. However, although it can appear spontaneously, certain situations favor its onset, such as having undergone surgery, having had an infection or after a trauma.

Side effects

Like all medicines on the market, pregabalin can also cause a number of side effects which should be taken into account when starting treatment with this medicine.

We understand side effects as all unwanted and unwanted events expected with drug therapy. In this sense, the most reported side effects in clinical trials with this drug were:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness.
• Psychiatric disorders.
• Blood disorders

Pregabalin: a drug still to be studied

Pregabalin is a medicine used primarily to treat neuropathic pain and epilepsy. It is a substance analogous to GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system.

However, the mechanism of action by which it triggers its effect in the body is not precisely known. Indeed, it does not interact with the receptors of this neurotransmitter.

We recommend that you be well informed about the administration of this medication, as well as any possible side effects it may produce. Also, remember to always follow the instructions for use given by the doctor.