Prescription medication · Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent
pregabalin
Also sold as Lyrica. This medicine is used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury.
- 264,092
- FDA reportsHeavily reported
- 14
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 99% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- $9.69
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
pregabalin (Lyrica) is a prescription Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent, in the top 5% of tracked drugs by FAERS report volume (264,092 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 99% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
pregabalin (Lyrica) is a prescription Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent. This medicine is used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury.
Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a medicine that can help manage nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and partial-onset seizures. It works by calming overactive nerves in your body.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$9.69/unit
Generic Price
$0.05/unit
Generic Savings
99%
Generic Available
Yes (27 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine is used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Sleepiness, Dry mouth
Key warnings
Pregabalin can cause swelling of the throat, head, and neck, which can be life-threatening.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from pregabalin's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Pregabalin works by binding to certain areas in your brain and spinal cord. This action helps to reduce the release of chemicals that send pain signals. By reducing these signals, pregabalin can help to lessen pain and control seizures.
How to Take It
Take pregabalin capsules by mouth, with or without food. For adults, the starting dose is usually 150 mg per day, divided into 2 or 3 doses. Your doctor may increase the dose gradually, depending on how well it works and how you tolerate it. Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly, as this can cause problems; your doctor will slowly lower the dose over at least a week.
This is a plain-language summary of pregabalin's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Taking pregabalin during pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of birth defects. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine. Breastfeeding while taking pregabalin is not recommended.
This is a plain-language summary of pregabalin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of pregabalin, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of pregabalin's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store pregabalin capsules at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 264,092 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for pregabalin, by number of reports
- Pain
Pain
25,904 reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
15,111 reports
- Feeling dizzy
Feeling dizzy
14,526 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
14,050 reports
- Headache
Headache
12,681 reports
- Feeling unwell
Feeling unwell
12,591 reports
- Sleepiness
Sleepiness
11,566 reports
- Weight gain
Weight gain
11,413 reports
- Pain in arm or leg
Pain in arm or leg
11,190 reports
- Falling down
Falling down
10,782 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for pregabalin each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where pregabalin sits
pregabalin has more FDA adverse-event reports than 97% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is pregabalin; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 264,092 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
264,092
Reports Mentioning Death
21,160
8.0% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
74,751
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | PAIN | 25,902 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 15,112 |
| 4 | DIZZINESS | 14,524 |
| 5 | NAUSEA | 14,053 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 12,683 |
| 8 | MALAISE | 12,591 |
| 9 | SOMNOLENCE | 11,567 |
| 10 | WEIGHT INCREASED | 11,412 |
| 11 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 11,190 |
| 12 | FALL | 10,780 |
| 13 | DYSPNOEA | 10,092 |
| 14 | DIARRHOEA | 9,835 |
| 15 | INSOMNIA | 9,547 |
| 16 | ARTHRALGIA | 9,268 |
| 17 | VOMITING | 8,827 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Pregabalin can cause swelling of the throat, head, and neck, which can be life-threatening. Get emergency help right away if this happens. This medicine can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for any changes in your mood or behavior. Pregabalin may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating machinery. Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly, as this can cause increased seizures or other side effects.
Known Drug Interactions
Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death.
Mechanism: Both drugs slow down the central nervous system. Using them together can cause extreme sleepiness and make it hard to breathe.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for signs of breathing problems or severe drowsiness. Avoid this combination unless your healthcare provider says it is necessary.
Specifically, there are no pharmacokinetic interactions between pregabalin and the following antiepileptic drugs: carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and topiramate.
Mechanism: These drugs do not change how the body processes or clears the other drug from your system.
What to do: These medicines can be taken together without needing to adjust your dosages.
Specifically, there are no pharmacokinetic interactions between pregabalin and the following antiepileptic drugs: carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and topiramate.
Mechanism: These drugs do not change how the body processes or clears the other drug from your system.
What to do: These medicines can be taken together without needing to adjust your dosages.
Pharmacodynamics Multiple oral doses of pregabalin were co-administered with oxycodone, lorazepam, or ethanol.
Mechanism: Both drugs can slow down brain activity, which can lead to increased sleepiness or dizziness when they are used together.
What to do: Be careful when taking these together and monitor yourself for increased drowsiness or dizziness.
Specifically, there are no pharmacokinetic interactions between pregabalin and the following antiepileptic drugs: carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and topiramate.
Mechanism: These two medicines do not change how the body processes or breaks down each other. There is no known chemical interaction between them.
What to do: No special dose changes are usually needed when taking these together. Your doctor will continue to monitor your treatment as usual.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I drive while taking pregabalin?
Can I drink alcohol while taking pregabalin?
What should I do if I have swelling in my face or throat?
How long does it take for pregabalin to start working?
Can I take pregabalin with other medicines?
What happens if I stop taking pregabalin suddenly?
Will pregabalin cure my nerve pain?
Can children take pregabalin?
Does pregabalin cause weight gain?
What do the numbers on the capsule mean?
What are the common side effects of pregabalin?
Does pregabalin interact with other medications?
What drug class is pregabalin?
Is there a generic version of pregabalin?
Is pregabalin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent
Other drugs grouped near pregabalin - same-class peers and common alternatives.
brivaracetam
Briviact
Brivaracetam is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures.
Compare with pregabalin →
cannabidiol
Epidiolex
Epidiolex is a medicine that contains cannabidiol.
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carbamazepine
Tegretol
Carbamazepine is a medicine used to control seizures and treat nerve pain.
Compare with pregabalin →
cenobamate
Xcopri
Xcopri is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults.
Compare with pregabalin →
clobazam
Onfi, Sympazan
Clobazam oral suspension is a medicine used with other medicines to treat seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Compare with pregabalin →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for pregabalin
The FDA label for pregabalin (sold under brand names such as Lyrica) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent class. This medicine is used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Sleepiness, Dry mouth.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 264,092 voluntary reports. The database also lists 14 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.05 versus $9.69 for the brand - a 99% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: September 23, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages