Abstract
Introduction: Pregabalin is currently approved for the treatment of epilepsy, generalized anxiety
disorder and neuropathic pain with a licensed dosage range of 150 mg to 600 mg/day.
Growing concern about the abuse potential of pregabalin is partly based on reports
of pregabalin being used in dosages that exceed the approved therapeutic range.
Methods: To identify predictors of pregabalin use above recommended dosage, we conducted a
pharmacoepidemological drug utilization study using the Danish nationwide registers.
We deployed 4 measures of abuse: high use (≥600 mg/day) or very high use (≥1 200 mg/day)
over a 6- or 12-month period, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used
to identify patient and treatment characteristics that were associated with either
abuse marker.
Results: Out of 42 520 pregabalin users 4 090 (9.6%) were treated with more than 600 mg/day
for 6 months and 2 765 (6.5%) for more than 12 months. Male gender and prescription
of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines were associated with increased risk of use of
above the recommended dosage.
Discussion: Use of pregabalin above recommended dosages was rare but abuse may occur in susceptible
patients.
Key words
pregabalin - abuse - drug utilization - denmark
