Anticonvulsants are drugs administered to treat epileptic fits as well as seizures. These meds inhibit erratic firing of nerve cells; such irregular actions can trigger convulsions. A few drugs in this genre may also have anxiolytic and analgesic capabilities. Owing to these properties, caregivers prescribe them for treating painful conditions like fibromyalgia, social anxiety disorders – SAD, neuropathic pains, restless legs, etc. Pregabalin is a med with anxiolytic, antiepileptic and analgesic capabilities. Do you know what painkillers can I take with pregabalin? It is useful to have more inputs on this.
Anticonvulsant drugs are known as antiepileptic meds; this is because not all seizures trigger convulsions. Converse is also true i.e., not all convulsions involve a seizure. There are many sub-genres of antiepileptic meds. These include barbiturates, gabapentinoids, bromides, etc. Of these, bromides are the first form of anticonvulsants.
Drugs like phenobarbital were administered in 1910s due to their antiepileptic and sedative capabilities. Mid-1930s saw the launch of meds like phenytoin, followed by carbamazepine in the 1960s, clonazepam in 1970s, and gabapentin in mid-90s. Physicians now recommend a few alternative approaches like stimulation of vagus nerve, intake of ketogenic-diet, etc. Of these, vagus nerve is stimulated with an implant placed inside people with epilepsy. On the other hand, keto diet involves a low-carb and high-fatty diet.
In this milieu, what is pregabalin?
Pregabalin belongs to a genre of antiepileptic drugs called gabapentinoids. These are derived from gamma-aminobutyric acid – in short, GABA. Such meds are known to inhibit calcium-channels. Gabapentinoids like pregabalin have the needful clearance to treat epileptic fits and / or seizures, generalized anxieties, etc. As an off-label use, caregivers prescribe it for treating sleeplessness, bipolar disorders as well as manic episodes.
Apart from antiepileptic capabilities, pregabalin is also known to have anxiolytic, antiallodynic and analgesic properties. This med is given prior to surgical interventions to manage pains. However, side effects include severe disturbances of your eyesight, excessive levels of sedation, etc. Pregabalin is widely available as an orally-administered med. Its residue is excreted through your renal system.
What painkillers can I take with pregabalin?
When caregivers prescribe pregabalin, they also administer a painkiller. The key thing here is to select a painkilling med which is more compatible with pregabalin. It is considered safe to administer over the counter i.e., OTC meds like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, intake of prescribed meds like muscle relaxants or opioids may trigger a few serious, undesired outcomes.
More-potent painkilling meds like dihydrocodeine or codeine, may be needed if OTC meds fall short on efficacy. Intake of pregabalin with codeine or other such powerful painkillers may cause side effects like dizziness, difficulties to pass stools, etc.
In some one-off cases, pregabalin may be prescribed with opioids. As this combination has a direct effect on your nerves, you are likely to encounter very adverse side-effects. These include slowing down of your breathing cycles; this known as depressed respiration. If left unattended, there can be sudden build-up of toxic items like carbon di-oxide in your blood.
So, when opioids are offered with anticonvulsants like pregabalin, you are under constant clinical monitoring. If you are staying confused and are having difficulties in staying focused, seek medical assistance on an emergency basis. Older people i.e., those aged above 50 years – may need to be more careful. Elderly persons may witness drop in cognitive abilities and a marked slowdown in motor function.
It can be dangerous to take alcohol or alcohol-laced drinks while having pregabalin. You are likely to get drowsy and may also pass out. In such cases, dial 911 if you are in US; you can call Health Canada if you are residing in any of the Canadian provinces. It is always a safe thing to talk to your caregiver about what painkillers can I take with pregabalin.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.