Some people have reported allergic reactions to Pregabalin, including swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, and neck. Others experienced trouble breathing, rash, hives, and blisters. If any of these symptoms occur, you should stop taking Pregabalin immediately and seek medical care.

A small number of people, about 1 in 500, may have suicidal thoughts or actions with Pregabalin, as is common for antiepileptic drugs.

Don't stop taking the medication, but contact your healthcare provider if you have such thoughts or if you have anxiety, depression, irritability, agitation, or other unusual behavior that is new or worsening.

Swelling of the hands and feet are another serious symptom, especially if you have heart problems. Consult your healthcare provider immediately.

Interactions With Other Medications

If prescribed Pregabalin, you must inform your healthcare provider about all medications that you take, prescription and non-prescription, as well as any supplements. Especially important to note are ACE inhibitors, narcotics, and Avandia (rosiglitazone) or Actos (pioglitazone) for diabetes.

Misuse

As with any prior significant medical problem, people who have had a drug use disorder or alcohol use disorder in the past should inform their healthcare provider. Because of the increased possibility of misuse of Pregabalin in those individuals, closer monitoring may be necessary or another treatment may be preferable.

Do Not Stop Without Consulting Healthcare Provider

Pregabalin should be taken at the prescribed dosage. If a dose of Pregabalin is missed and it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Two doses of Pregabalin should not be taken together.

Do not stop taking Pregabalin without consulting your healthcare provider. You should continue taking the drug even after experiencing pain relief. Also, plan for refills so that the prescription does not run out.

Pregnancy and Fertility Concerns

People who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should notify their healthcare provider before starting the drug. No adequate, well-controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant humans, and use is only appropriate when the potential benefit to the person who is pregnant outweighs the possible risk to the fetus.

Male fertility may also be impacted by taking Pregabalin, so this should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Studies showed that the drug made male animals less fertile. Also, birth defects occurred in the offspring of male animals who were treated with pregabalin.

Controversial Findings for Sciatica

Study results published in 2017 concluded that patients with sciatica improved to the same level whether given Pregabalin (pregabalin) or placebo. While the drug has been prescribed for various nerve-related conditions, including sciatica, some researchers do not recommend its use for sciatica based on the results.

But, not all researchers agree—some think it may be useful for chronic sciatica. For certain, if you are currently taking Pregabalin (pregabalin), do not stop without consulting your healthcare provider first.