Pregabalin (Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What is the most important information I should know about RAN-PREGABALIN?

1. 1.

   RAN-PREGABALIN may cause serious allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away if you think you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

   • swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue or neck
   • have any trouble breathing
   • other allergic reactions may include rash, hives and blisters.
2. 2.

   RAN-PREGABALIN may cause dizziness and sleepiness.

   • Do not drive a car, work with machines, or do other dangerous activities until you know how RAN-PREGABALIN affects how alert you are. Ask your doctor when it is okay to do these activities.

3. 3. RAN-PREGABALIN may cause problems with your eyesight, including blurry vision. Call your doctor if you have any changes in your eyesight.

What the medication is used for:

RAN-PREGABALIN is a prescription medicine used for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with:

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (Pain from damaged nerves due to diabetes)
• Postherpetic neuralgia (Persisting pain following rash due to shingles)
• RAN-PREGABALIN is also used for the symptomatic relief of pain associated with fibromyalgia (a condition which includes widespread pain).

What it does:

RAN-PREGABALIN can relieve pain. Some patients taking RAN-PREGABALIN showed improvement as early as the first week of treatment.

When it should not be used:

You should not take RAN-PREGABALIN if you are allergic to pregabalin, the main ingredient in RAN-PREGABALIN, or any other ingredient in RAN-PREGABALIN (see “What the non-medicinal ingredients are”). Children under the age of 18 years.

What the medicinal ingredient is:

Pregabalin

What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:

The non-medicinal ingredients that make up the capsule core are mannitol, and talc.

The capsule shells contain gelatin and titanium dioxide. In addition, the capsule shells contain iron oxide red and sodium lauryl sulfate.

The markings on the capsules are in black ink, which contains black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and shellac.

What dosage forms it comes in:

Capsules containing 25, 50, 75, 150, 225 or 300 mg of pregabalin.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

SERIOUS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Taking RAN-PREGABALIN with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.

BEFORE you use RAN-PREGABALIN tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

• you are taking any other prescription medicines including narcotic pain medicines like oxycodone, nonprescription medicines, or natural/herbal remedies.
• you have any kidney problems.
• you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant.
• you are breastfeeding. Pregabalin passes into breast milk and it is not known if it can harm your baby. You and your healthcare provider should discuss whether you should take RAN-PREGABALIN or breast-feed, but you should not do both.
• you have ever had an allergic reaction (itching, wheezing, hives, or swelling of the throat or face) to pregabalin or any of the nonmedicinal ingredients listed in “What the nonmedicinal ingredients are”.
• you have a history of heart disease called congestive heart failure.
• you have a history of lower gastrointestinal problems (e.g., constipation, blocked or paralysed bowel), or you are taking medication(s) that may cause constipation.

Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant while taking RAN-PREGABALIN, talk to your doctor about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of anticonvulsant medicines during pregnancy. Any woman who is currently pregnant and is taking antiepileptic drugs for any reason, can enroll in the registry. Information on the registry can also be found at the website http://www. aedpregnancyregistry.org/.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

While you are taking RAN-PREGABALIN, don't start any new medicines, including natural or herbal medicines, without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor or pharmacist will know which medicines are safe for you to take together. RAN-PREGABALIN does not interfere with birth control pills.

You may have a higher chance for dizziness and sleepiness if the following drugs are taken with RAN-PREGABALIN:

• Alcohol
• Medicines for anxiety (such as lorazepam)
• Narcotic pain medicine (such as oxycodone)
• Any medicines that make you sleepy

You may have a higher chance of weight gain or swelling if the antidiabetic pills, Avandia (rosiglitazone) or Actos (pioglitazone) are taken with RAN-PREGABALIN.

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

You can take RAN-PREGABALIN with or without food. Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking RAN-PREGABALIN.

Usual adult dose:

Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to take it.

Overdose:

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose by a few hours, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do NOT take the missed capsules. Simply wait and restart RAN-PREGABALIN with your next scheduled dose.

Do not suddenly stop taking RAN-PREGABALIN. Talk to your doctor first. Plan ahead to have a refill so you don't run out.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Some patients may have side effects while taking RAN-PREGABALIN. Side effects are usually mild. In studies, few patients stopped taking RAN-PREGABALIN due to side effects.

The most common side effects were: dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, swelling of the extremities, weight gain, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, muscle weakness, constipation, and forgetfulness.

A small number of patients taking a drug of this type may experience thoughts of suicide. Your doctor should be informed immediately if this occurs.

When you start RAN-PREGABALIN, you may get sleepy or experience dizziness. Avoid potentially hazardous tasks: do not drive a car or operate machinery until you are sure that this medication does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery or until you get used to RAN-PREGABALIN.

When RAN-PREGABALIN is taken with other medications that may cause constipation (such as opioid pain medications), it is possible that gastrointestinal problems may occur (e.g., constipation, blocked or paralysed bowel).

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you have any unexpected effects while taking RAN-PREGABALIN, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO STORE IT

Keep RAN-PREGABALIN out of reach of children. Store at 15°C-30°C in the package it came in.

Reporting Side Effects

MORE INFORMATION

This document plus the full Product Monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found by contacting the sponsor, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. at 1-866-840-1340

RANBAXY

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.,

Brampton, ON

L6T 1C1

Last revised: March 24, 2020