Pregabalin Dependence: A Case Report

Abstract

Physician should be aware about the addictive potential of pregabalin even in patients without a previous history of substance abuse.

A Decade of Gabapentinoid Misuse: An Analysis of the European Medicines Agency’s ‘Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions’ Database

“…History of substance misuse is typically associated with overuse of pregabalin [23][24][25][26]. Although tolerance to pregabalin has not been proven [27,28], its withdrawal syndrome may include agitation/ anxiety, craving, sweating, insomnia, fatigue, palpitations, tremors, and diarrhea [29][30][31][32][33].…”

Use of Pregabalin – A Nationwide Pharmacoepidemiological Drug Utilization Study with Focus on Abuse Potential

“…In Europe, pregabalin is approved for the treatment of epilepsy, neuropathic pain and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). In the US pregabalin is approved for fibromyalgia, postherpetic neuralgia and neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury or diabetes, but not for GAD [1]. Additionally, case reports and smaller studies have suggested an effect for hypnotic-dependent insomnia [2], withdrawal of benzodiazepines [3] and alcohol dependence [4].…”

“…The use of pregabalin has increased throughout the world and growing concerns about the abuse potential pregabalin have emerged [5][6][7]. Euphoria occurs as a frequent side effect of pregabalin [8] and several cases of overdose from recreational use have been reported [5,9,10]. Reports of tampering in which pregabalin was used by alternative routes of administration, i. e., nasal insufflation or venous injection, have also been reported [11,12].…”

Pregabalin and Gabapentin Use Disorders

“…31 Literatürde, madde kötüye kullanım öyküsü olmadan pregabalin kullanım bozukluğu olan 3 hasta bildirimi yapılmıştır. [32][33][34] Bu hastalardan 1'inde; pregabalinin olağan dozlarda kullanıldığı (<300 mg/gün), sigara ile birlikte kullanımda öfori ve anksiyolitik etki üzerinde sinerjik etkileşim gösterdiği için tütün kullanım bozukluğu da geliştiği bildirilmiştir. 34 Bu özellikleri nedeni ile pregabalin 2010 yılında Avrupa Birliği'nde rekreasyonel psikoaktif maddeler listesine dâhil edilmiştir.…”