What is Gabrika®?
Gabrika® is the brand name for the medication Pregabalin. It is an antiepileptic medication, also known as an anticonvulsant. Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue, which means it acts in a similar way to a naturally occurring chemical in the brain called GABA.
How Does Gabrika® Work?
Pregabalin works by binding to a specific subunit (α2-õ protein) of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system. This action reduces the release of certain neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. By reducing the release of these neurotransmitters, Pregabalin helps to calm overactive nerve cells, which can be helpful in treating conditions like epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and generalised anxiety disorder.
What are the Uses of Gabrika®?
Gabrika® is indicated for use in adults for the following conditions:
- Neuropathic Pain: Gabrika® is used to treat both peripheral and central neuropathic pain. Peripheral neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nerves in the body’s extremities, such as the hands and feet. Central neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nerves in the brain or spinal cord.
- Epilepsy: Gabrika® is used as an add-on therapy in adults with partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation. This means it is used alongside other antiepileptic medications to help control seizures.
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Gabrika® is used to treat GAD, a condition characterised by excessive and persistent worry and anxiety.
Pregabalin: What You Need to Know
Understanding Gabrika® Dosage
The dosage of Gabrika® varies depending on the condition being treated and individual patient factors. It is important to always follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor.
Here is a general overview of Gabrika® dosage:
- Neuropathic Pain: Treatment usually starts at 150mg/day, which can be increased to a maximum of 600mg/day based on response and tolerability.
- Epilepsy: Treatment usually starts at 150mg/day and can be increased to a maximum of 600mg/day based on response and tolerability.
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder: The dosage range is 150-600mg/day. Treatment starts at 150mg/day and can be gradually increased based on response and tolerability.
Gabrika® can be taken with or without food.
Dosage Adjustments
Dosage adjustments may be necessary for:
- Elderly Patients: Due to decreased renal function, elderly patients may require a lower dosage.
- Renal Impairment: Patients with kidney problems may need a lower dosage based on their level of kidney function.
- Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: Patients on haemodialysis require dosage adjustments and a supplementary dose following each dialysis session.
Table 1. Gabrika® dosage adjustment based on renal function
| Clcr (ml/min) | Total Gabrika® Daily Dose* (mg/day) | Dose Regimen | Starting Dose (mg/day) | Maximum Dose (mg/day) | Supplementary Dosage Following Haemodialysis (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≥ 60 | 150 | BID or TID | 150 | 600 | 25 |
| ≥ 30 – < 60 | 75 | BID or TID | 75 | 300 | 100 |
| ≥ 15 – < 30 | 25 – 50 | Once daily or BID | 25 – 50 | 150 | Single dose |
| < 15 | 25 | Once daily | 25 | 75 | + |
*Total daily dose (mg/day) should be divided as indicated by dose regimen to provide mg/dose
+ Supplementary dose is a single additional dose
It is crucial to discuss any necessary dosage adjustments with your doctor.
Important Precautions When Taking Gabrika®
Before starting Gabrika®, it is essential to be aware of certain precautions:
- Diabetic Patients: Some diabetic patients may experience weight gain while taking Pregabalin and may need to adjust their diabetes medications.
- Elderly Patients: Pregabalin can cause dizziness and drowsiness, increasing the risk of accidental falls in the elderly.
- Kidney Problems: Cases of kidney failure have been reported with Pregabalin use. Discontinuing the medication can reverse this side effect.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Some patients experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping Pregabalin, including insomnia, headache, nausea, and dizziness. It is important to gradually taper off the medication under medical supervision.
- Heart Problems: There have been reports of congestive heart failure in some patients taking Pregabalin.
- Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviour: Antiepileptic medications, including Pregabalin, have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. If you experience any such thoughts, seek medical attention immediately.
- Driving and Operating Machinery: Pregabalin may cause dizziness and drowsiness, which can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Avoid these activities until you know how the medication affects you.
Inform your doctor about any pre-existing medical conditions or allergies before taking Gabrika®.
Understanding Potential Side Effects of Gabrika®
Like all medications, Gabrika® can cause side effects. The most common side effects are dizziness and somnolence.
Here is a list of possible side effects, categorised by how often they occur:
Very Common (> 1/10):
- Dizziness
- Somnolence
Common (> 1/100, < 1/10):
- Increased appetite
- Euphoric mood
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Decreased libido
- Ataxia (lack of muscle coordination)
- Abnormal coordination
- Tremor
- Dysarthria (difficulty speaking)
- Memory impairment
- Disturbance in attention
- Paraesthesia (tingling or prickling sensation)
- Blurred vision
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Erectile dysfunction
- Abnormal gait
- Feeling drunk
- Fatigue
- Peripheral oedema (swelling in the extremities)
- Oedema (swelling)
Uncommon (>1/1000, <1/100):
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Hallucination
- Panic attack
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Depression
- Depressed mood
- Mood swings
- Depersonalisation
- Worsening of insomnia
- Difficulty finding words
- Abnormal dreams
- Increased libido
- Anorgasmia (inability to achieve orgasm)
- Apathy
- Syncope (fainting)
- Stupor
- Myoclonus (muscle twitches)
- Psychomotor hyperactivity
- Ageusia (loss of taste)
- Dyskinesia (abnormal, involuntary movements)
- Postural dizziness
- Intention tremor
- Nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements)
- Cognitive disorder
- Speech disorder
- Hyporeflexia (decreased reflexes)
- Hypoaesthesia (decreased sensation)
- Amnesia (memory loss)
- Hyperaesthesia (increased sensitivity to touch)
- Burning sensation
- Visual disturbance
- Eye swelling
- Visual field defect
- Reduced visual acuity (sharpness of vision)
- Eye pain
- Asthenopia (eye strain)
- Dry eye
- Increased lacrimation (tearing)
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
- Flushing
- Hot flushes
- Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
- Nasal dryness
- Abdominal distension
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Salivary hypersecretion
- Oral hypoaesthesia (numbness in the mouth)
- Papular rash
- Sweating
- Muscle twitching
- Joint swelling
- Muscle cramps
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
- Back pain
- Pain in limb
- Muscle stiffness
- Urinary incontinence
- Dysuria (painful urination)
- Delayed ejaculation
- Sexual dysfunction
- Abnormal gait
- Feeling drunk
- Falls
- Chest tightness
- Asthenia (weakness)
- Thirst
Rare (<1/1000):
- Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- Disinhibition
- Elevated mood
- Hypokinesia (decreased movement)
- Parosmia (distorted sense of smell)
- Dysgraphia (difficulty writing)
- Peripheral vision loss
- Oscillopsia (objects appear to jump or move)
- Altered visual depth perception
- Photopsia (seeing flashes of light)
- Eye irritation
- Mydriasis (dilated pupils)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Visual brightness
- Hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound)
- Atrioventricular block first degree (a type of heart rhythm problem)
- Sinus tachycardia (a fast heart rhythm originating in the sinus node)
- Sinus bradycardia (a slow heart rhythm originating in the sinus node)
- Sinus arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm originating in the sinus node)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Peripheral coldness
- Epistaxis (nosebleed)
- Throat tightness
- Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the nose and throat)
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages)
- Snoring
- Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Urticaria (hives)
- Cold sweats
- Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
- Cervical spasm (muscle spasm in the neck)
- Neck pain
- Renal failure
- Oliguria (decreased urine output)
- Amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation)
- Breast discharge
- Breast pain
- Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)
- Breast hypertrophy (enlargement)
- Anasarca (severe, generalised oedema)
- Pyrexia (fever)
- Rigors (shivering)
- Exacerbated pain
Unknown Frequency:
- Hypersensitivity (allergic reaction)
- Angioedema (swelling beneath the skin)
- Loss of consciousness
- Mental impairment
- Headache
- Vision loss
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
- Congestive heart failure
- Swollen tongue
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe skin reaction)
- Pruritus (itching)
- Urinary retention
- Facial oedema (swelling in the face)
It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any severe or persistent side effects.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Gabrika®
There is limited data on the use of Pregabalin during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity. It is not recommended to use Gabrika® during pregnancy unless the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the foetus. Effective contraception should be used by women of childbearing potential.
It is unknown whether Pregabalin is excreted in human breast milk. However, it is present in the milk of rats. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Gabrika®.
Drug Interactions to Be Aware Of
While Pregabalin does not generally have significant interactions with other medications, it is essential to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as herbal supplements.
Pregabalin may increase the effects of alcohol and lorazepam, a benzodiazepine medication.
What to Do in Case of Gabrika® Overdose
In case of an overdose of Gabrika®, seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of Pregabalin overdose may include:
- Somnolence
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Restlessness
Treatment for overdose typically involves supportive measures and may include haemodialysis if necessary.
Conclusion
Gabrika® (Pregabalin) can be an effective treatment for neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and generalised anxiety disorder. However, it is crucial to use this medication responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. By understanding the uses, dosage, precautions, potential side effects, and interactions associated with Gabrika®, you can make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Dr. Ahmad Baker, PharmD
Senior Pharmacist & Health Educator
With over 23 years of clinical experience in hospital and community pharmacy across Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ahmad specializes in reproductive health and pharmaceutical safety. He is dedicated to providing evidence-based guidance to empower patients in the MENA region.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and reflects the latest pharmaceutical protocols. It is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Always consult Dr. Ahmad Baker or your healthcare provider before starting any treatment.