Pregacare 300 mg

When the dose is suitable for the patient and the condition, pregabalin can:

• Reduce burning, shooting or tingling nerve pain

• Make persistent nerve pain easier to manage

• Help manage fibromyalgia symptoms where prescribed

• Help control partial-onset seizures when used with other seizure medicines

The benefit should be reviewed alongside side effects such as dizziness or sleepiness. A stronger capsule does not automatically provide a better result.

Pregabalin attaches to a part of certain nerve channels involved in passing signals. This helps reduce excessive nerve activity. For someone with nerve pain, that can mean fewer pain signals reaching the brain. When used alongside other seizure medicines, it helps reduce abnormal electrical activity linked to seizures.

Pregabalin controls symptoms rather than repairing damaged nerves. Its full benefit can take several weeks, depending on why it has been prescribed. 

Pregacare 300 mg is not recommended to take every dose. For several adult conditions, pregabalin treatment starts at a lower total daily dose, often 150 mg per day, and the prescriber increases it based on the condition, benefit, and side effects. A 300 mg capsule is therefore generally unsuitable as a first dose.

Pregabalin capsules are commonly taken in two or three divided doses per day, with or without food. The safe total daily amount differs by condition: for example, the recommended maximum dose for diabetic nerve pain is 300 mg per day in adults with normal kidney function, while some other conditions have different limits. Reduced kidney function requires a lower dose. Follow the exact schedule on your prescription, and do not stop or pause pregabalin intake suddenly.

Common side effects - Dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, dry mouth, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, weight gain and swelling of the hands or feet can occur. Dizziness and sleepiness can affect driving, especially when starting treatment or after a dose increase. Tell your prescriber if these effects persist or interfere with daily activities. 

Serious side effects - Seek urgent medical help for slow or difficult breathing, extreme sleepiness, or swelling of the face, tongue or throat. Contact a healthcare professional promptly about a serious rash, significant vision changes, or new thoughts of self-harm. Breathing problems are a particular concern when pregabalin is taken with medicines that cause drowsiness, including opioids. 

Do not take Pregacare if you are allergic to pregabalin or any other ingredient in the capsule. The following people need a prescriber to assess whether pregabalin, and especially this 300 mg strength, is suitable:

• People with reduced kidney function

• People with breathing problems

• People taking opioids or sedating medicines

• People with a history of serious swelling reactions

• People with heart failure or troublesome fluid retention

• People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding

• Children unless a specialist prescribes this exact strength

Pregabalin may still be prescribed in some of these situations, but the dose or monitoring needs to be chosen individually. 

Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines and substances you use. Important ones to mention include:

• Opioid pain medicines

• Benzodiazepines

• Sleeping medicines

• Alcohol

• ACE inhibitor blood pressure medicines

• Pioglitazone or rosiglitazone

Opioids, sleeping medicines and alcohol can add to pregabalin’s sedating effects; some combinations increase the risk of dangerous breathing problems. ACE inhibitors may increase the risk of swelling reactions, while pioglitazone or rosiglitazone may increase swelling and weight gain. Do not add a sedating medicine to Pregacare without a medication review. 

• Keep the capsules in their original packaging.

• Store them at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture.

• Follow any specific temperature instructions printed on the supplied pack.

• Keep them securely out of reach of children and other people.

• Do not use the capsules after the expiry date.

• Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of capsules you no longer need.