Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Pregabalin as follows:
- Sudden discontinuation of Pregabalin intake, after prolonged use, can result in onset of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as, deterioration of symptoms of mood disorders, exacerbation of nerve pain, and relapse of the seizure activity. Discontinuing the medication should be gradual and only on your physician’s recommendation.
- Pregabalin, on prolonged use, carries the risk of muscle damage, muscle breakdown, and consequent muscle pain. Muscle proteins, released from breakdown of muscle, circulate in the blood stream and enter the kidneys to be eliminated in the urine. These proteins are considerably big in size, cannot be filtered in the urine, and so, get clogged up in the glomeruli (filtering units) of kidneys. This can progressively reduce the filtering ability of kidneys and contribute to diminishing renal function, compromised excretion of waste metabolites, and reduced urine volume. Reduced urine volume can lead to reduced excretion in urine and increased accumulation of fluid and waste metabolites in the body, generalized body edema and swelling, increased shortness of breath, and weight gain. Reduced excretion of waste metabolites in the urine can contribute to altered levels of consciousness, sleep disturbances, and skin rash & persistent itching. Fluid backup can be detrimental, especially in individuals with history of hypertension and compromised cardiac and renal functions, as backed up fluid can increase the blood pressure and workload on the failing heart, thus complicating the case further. Report any of the above discussed findings suggestive of compromised renal function, to your physician immediately, for a possible change in the dose of Pregabalin and plan of care.
