Pregabalin
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
A gabapentinoid anticonvulsant FDA-approved for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury, and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures. Pregabalin has more predictable pharmacokinetics and faster onset than gabapentin, and is a Schedule V controlled substance due to its euphoric potential.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
A gabapentinoid anticonvulsant FDA-approved for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury, and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Start 75 mg twice daily or 50 mg three times daily; titrate to 150–300 mg twice daily (max 600 mg/day) (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 12 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy pain, treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, treatment of fibromyalgia. 12 sources indexed (2019–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Binds potently to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system, reducing calcium influx at presynaptic nerve terminals. This decreases the release of several excitatory neurotransmitters including glutamate, norepinephrine, and substance P, thereby modulating pain signaling and neuronal excitability. Pregabalin has 6-fold greater binding affinity than gabapentin.
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food; linear pharmacokinetics (unlike gabapentin), absorption is not dose-dependent
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Dizziness
- Somnolence
- Peripheral edema
- Weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating
- Euphoria (contributes to abuse potential)
Contraindications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
7- 1Cardiovascular safety of gabapentinoids gabapentin & pregabalin: A systematic reviewPMIDDutta D, Mohindra R, Kumar M et al. · The Indian journal of medical research · 2025
Dutta D, Mohindra R, Kumar M et al.. Cardiovascular safety of gabapentinoids gabapentin & pregabalin: A systematic review. The Indian journal of medical research. 2025
- 2Pregabalin vs. gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and safetyPMIDMayoral V, Galvez R, Ferrándiz M et al. · Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2024
Mayoral V, Galvez R, Ferrándiz M et al.. Pregabalin vs. gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety. Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland). 2024
- 3Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in eye pain: A systematic reviewPMIDShen X, Chen X, He Y et al. · Medicine · 2023
Shen X, Chen X, He Y et al.. Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in eye pain: A systematic review. Medicine. 2023
- 4The analgesic efficacy of pregabalin versus placebo for septorhinoplasty: A meta-analysisPMIDLiang Z, Xu Y, Xue Z · Medicine · 2023
Liang Z, Xu Y, Xue Z. The analgesic efficacy of pregabalin versus placebo for septorhinoplasty: A meta-analysis. Medicine. 2023
- 5A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and adverse events of gabapentin and pregabalin for sciatica painPMIDGiménez-Campos MS, Pimenta-Fermisson-Ramos P, Díaz-Cambronero JI et al. · Atencion primaria · 2022
Giménez-Campos MS, Pimenta-Fermisson-Ramos P, Díaz-Cambronero JI et al.. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and adverse events of gabapentin and pregabalin for sciatica pain. Atencion primaria. 2022
- 6Benefits and harms of pregabalin in the management of neuropathic pain: a rapid review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.PMIDOnakpoya IJ, Thomas ET, Lee JJ et al. · BMJ Open · 2019
Meta-analysis of 28 RCTs (6087 participants) found pregabalin significantly reduced neuropathic pain (SMD -0.49) and sleep interference (SMD -0.38) vs placebo, but significantly increased adverse events (RR 1.33) and discontinuation due to adverse events (RR 1.91).
- 7Pharmacological treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.PMIDSlee A, Nazareth I, Bondaronek P et al. · Lancet · 2019
Network meta-analysis of 89 studies found pregabalin among the most effective drugs for GAD with superior efficacy to placebo (OR 3.78), alongside duloxetine and venlafaxine; all three showed better efficacy than benzodiazepines.
Reference material
5- 8Derry S et al. Pregabalin for neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019.Source linkedPMID
- 9Finnerup NB et al. Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 2015.Source linkedPMID
- 10Arnold LM et al. A 14-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled monotherapy trial of pregabalin in patients with fibromyalgia. J Pain. 2008.Source linkedPMID
- 11Bonnet U, Scherbaum N. How addictive are gabapentin and pregabalin? A systematic review. European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017Source linkedPMID
- 12Hong JSW, Atkinson LZ, Al-Juffali N et al.. Gabapentin and pregabalin in bipolar disorder, anxiety states, and insomnia: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and rationale. Molecular psychiatry. 2022Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Pregabalin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Pregabalin?
A gabapentinoid anticonvulsant FDA-approved for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury, and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures. Pregabalin has more predictable pharmacokinetics and faster onset than gabapentin, and is a Schedule V controlled substance due to its euphoric potential.
What is Pregabalin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Pregabalin include: Treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy pain; Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia; Treatment of fibromyalgia; Treatment of neuropathic pain from spinal cord injury; Adjunctive therapy for partial seizures. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Pregabalin?
A typical adult dose of Pregabalin is Start 75 mg twice daily or 50 mg three times daily; titrate to 150–300 mg twice daily (max 600 mg/day) (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Capsule or oral solution. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Pregabalin?
Reported side effects include dizziness, somnolence, peripheral edema, weight gain, blurred vision, dry mouth. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Pregabalin?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Pregabalin in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.