Potential for pregabalin abuse or diversion after past drug-seeking behavior

• Published in: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association Vol. 110; no. 10; pp. 605 - 607
• Main Authors: Filipetto, Frank A, Zipp, Christopher P, Coren, Joshua S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Analgesics - administration & dosage; Analgesics - adverse effects; Analgesics - therapeutic use; Analgesics, Opioid; Behavior, Addictive - drug therapy; Female; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - administration & dosage; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - adverse effects; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - analogs & derivatives; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - therapeutic use; Humans; Pain - drug therapy; Pregabalin; Risk Factors; Substance-Related Disorders - drug therapy
• ISSN: 1945-1997

Pregabalin, primarily used to manage neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, is categorized as a Schedule V drug (ie, lowest potential for abuse) in the US Drug Enforcement Administration's Controlled Substances Act. Because pregabalin is not recognized as a drug with high-abuse potential, data on pregabalin abuse and addiction are lacking. The authors report a case of a 35-year-old woman with a history of opioid-seeking behavior who was prescribed pregabalin for pain control. The patient requested an increase in her medication 2 months after beginning treatment and, after her physician denied her request, subsequently obtained pregabalin from other sources. Over a 28-day period, the patient received a total of 88,500 mg of pregabalin. After learning of the other prescriptions, the patient's physician became suspicious of pregabalin abuse or diversion. In accordance with state medical board guidelines, the patient was discharged from the practice and referred to a local detoxification center.