The Science Behind Pregabalin: How This Medication Works

When you are dealing with nerve pain, seizures, or anxiety, your health care professional may prescribe Pregabalin. While many people know it by its brand names, Nervigesic and Lyrica, not everyone knows how it works in the body.

Understanding the mechanism of action of Pregabalin can help you feel more confident and informed about your treatment. In this blog, we’ll discuss how Pregabalin works in an easy-to-understand way. Let’s dive in.

An Overview of Pregabalin

Pregabalin is a medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to address neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and seizures [1].

The diverse clinical uses of Pregabalin have made it an increasingly popular choice among healthcare professionals and patients. Pregabalin is taken as a capsule and is available in various dosage strengths, which are prescribed based on individual needs and responses to treatment.

The Science Behind Pregabalin

Pregabalin is a group of drugs called anticonvulsants or antiepileptic deugs. Although the exact mechanism by which Pregabalin oral capsules work is still unclear, researchers have learned essential details about its role in the nervous system.

Pregabalin aims to reduce the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, which sometimes send signals about pain. By reducing the activity of these neurotransmitters, Pregabalin can change how your body feels and responds to pain [2].

How Pregabalin Affects the Nervous System?

The nervous system is a complex network that sends information all over the body. Pregabalin targets specific parts of this system. If you are injured or have an ailment that affects normal nerve function, your nerves may send out pain signals even if there is no clear reason for the pain at that time.

Pregabalin helps to calm electrical activity in your nervous system. It does this by binding to specific proteins on nerve cells, reducing the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate. This helps to quiet those overactive nerves and alleviate the pain signals that go to your brain.

Pregabalin has more effects than pain management. When used for seizures, it works similarly. It lowers the excess electrical activity in the brain that characterizes seizures. By bringing more balance to the nervous system, Pregabalin can help manage various neurological symptoms [2].

Pregabalin’s Mechanism Of Action For Pain Management

Neuropathic pain is a type of pain characterized by burning, stabbing, or shooting sensations. It occurs when the nervous system malfunctions [3].

Pregabalin helps alleviate pain by making the overly active nerves less excitable. It does this by attaching to calcium channels found on nerve cells. These channels are responsible for sending out pain signals. When Pregabalin affects this process, it lowers the pain signals sent to the brain.

As a result, patients notice less pain over time, which can help those with neuropathic pain.

Pregabalin’s Working Mechanism For Anxiety

Pregabalin is also known for its anxiolytic properties, due to which it is used by many for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Even though the exact working mechanism is not clear, it is believed that the modulation of calcium channels and the reduction in neurotransmitter release may play a role in its ability to manage anxiety symptoms. By lowering the hyperactivity in the neural circuits that are often linked with anxiety, Pregabalin can produce a calming effect [4].

Pregabalin: Side Effects Profile

Pregabalin can cause side effects just like other medicines. Not every person will have these side effects, but it’s good to know what they are and how to manage them. Some common negative effects of this medication get better as your body gets used to the medication.

If the side effects of Pregabalin bother you or last long, speaking to your doctor is very important.

Commonly reported adverse effects of Pregabalin.

The most commonly reported unwanted effects of Pregabalin include [5]:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Weight gain
• Blurred vision.

Dizziness and drowsiness are often felt when you first start or increase the dose of Pregabalin. If you feel drowsy after taking this medicine, you can take it at bedtime. And if you feel dizzy, be careful when getting up from a bed or chair to prevent falls.

In case of vision changes, report them to a health care professional.

Weight gain is another potential side effect associated with Pregabalin use. This may happen due to increased hunger and fluid retention caused by the drug and decreased mobility linked to pain itself. If Pregabalin-associated weight gain bothers you, talk to a dietitian or a doctor, who can help you manage your weight while using Pregabalin.

Serious Side Effects Associated With Pregabalin’s Use

While most patients who take Pregabalin have mild side effects, it is crucial to know that serious effects are also possible. In rare cases, Pregabalin can cause serious negative effects like allergic reactions and breathing difficulties.

Signs of an allergic reaction to this drug include itching, hives, swelling on the lips, face, or tongue, and trouble breathing.

If you have any of these side effects, it is important to stop taking the medicine and seek medical help immediately.

Conclusion

Pregabalin’s mechanism of action provides insight into how it alleviates symptoms of health conditions like nerve pain, anxiety, and seizures. By slowing down specific nerve signals, Pregabalin offers effective relief from pain and anxiety.

Pregabalin comes with the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, you must make an appointment with your doctor, discuss your symptoms, and let him decide if this medication is proper for you.