Pregabalin: What Is It For?

Pregabalin is an analog of the quintessential inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, GABA. Like other neurotransmitters, it is a chemical that is synthesized in the body and that is responsible for the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next one.

As it binds to one receptor or another, some or other actions will be triggered in the body. The activation of the GABA-A receptor, which is the one that predominates in the brain, leads to a reduction in neuronal activity, which would justify the anticonvulsant effect of pregabalin.

However, the exact mechanism of pregabalin is not yet well understood, as there is no evidence that it binds to either GABA-A or GABA-B receptors. It also does not affect the reception of this neurotransmitter.

What diseases is pregabalin used for?

As we already know, pregabalin is indicated for the treatment of neuropathic pain. It is also indicated in combination with other medications for the treatment of epilepsy, especially in partial-onset seizures.

Pregabalin and seizures

As we said, pregabalin is one of the latest antiepileptic drugs introduced for the treatment of partial epilepsy.

In particular, it appears that it could play a role in reducing the frequency of seizures in epilepsy when administered as adjunctive treatment. This is confirmed by an investigation published in 2008 by the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment .

Learning about epilepsies

Epilepsies are the consequence of a central nervous system disorder. They occur because the activity of the brain does not work as it should and produces shocks that generate seizures.

Without proper treatment and prevention measures, seizures can be fatal.

Symptoms and how they are triggered varies from person to person. Also, everyone can get this disease.

However, if a person has suffered one type of epilepsy, if it occurs again, it is most likely the same type, although this is not always the case and the symptoms may vary.

For a doctor to diagnose you as an epileptic patient, you must have suffered at least two unprovoked seizures.

What is neuropathic pain?

Affected patients describe neuropathic pain as a stabbing, burning pain. Also, sometimes they feel a kind of tingling and throbbing in different parts of the body.

It is a pain that occurs because the nervous system does not work optimally. In this way, this system interprets stimuli abnormally, triggering pain from stimuli that should not cause it.

This disease usually lasts over time, appearing intermittently. However, although it may appear spontaneously, there are some situations that favor its appearance, such as having undergone surgery, having had an infection or after a trauma.

Adverse reactions

Like all medicines on the market, pregabalin can also cause a number of adverse reactions that must be taken into account when starting treatment with this medicine.

We understand adverse reactions as all those undesirable and unintended events that are expected with treatment with a drug. In this sense, the most reported adverse reactions in clinical trials with this drug were:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness.
• Psychiatric disorders.
• Blood disorders

Pregabalin: a drug yet to be studied

Pregabalin is a drug that is used primarily to treat neuropathic pain and epilepsies. It is a substance analogous to GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system.

However, the mechanism of action by which it triggers its effect in the body is not precisely known, since it does not interact with the receptors of this neurotransmitter.

We recommend that you inform yourself well about the administration of this medicine, as well as the possible adverse effects that it can produce. Also, remember to always follow the instructions for use indicated by the doctor.