Pregabalin as a Treatment for Seizures or Neuropathic Pain
Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
Pregabalin is a drug that has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of neuropathic pain, including pain that is associated with spinal cord injury and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). It also has received FDA approval for fibromyalgia and postherpetic neuralgia. For patients with epilepsy, pregabalin is approved as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older. This course provides insights into the various indications, potential adverse effects, and dosing in individuals suffering from diverse nervous system maladies that result in the prescribing of pregabalin.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify the approved indications for pregabalin
- Describe the different dosage forms and dosing frequencies for pregabalin
- Identify the potential side effects associated with pregabalin
- List some patient education points for patients who are prescribed pregabalin
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. History of Pregabalin
III. Clinical Pharmacology of Pregabalin
1. Mechanism of Action
2. Pharmacokinetics
IV. Dosage and Administration
1. Labeled Uses
2. Off-label Uses
3. Administration
Contraindications, Warnings, and Adverse Reactions
1. Angioedema
2. Cardiovascular
3. Central Nervous System
4. Creatine Kinase (CK) Levels
5. Hematologic
6. Ophthalmologic
7. Peripheral Edema
8. Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
9. Tumorigenic Potential
10. Weight Gain
11. Recreational Drug Use and Substance Use Disorder
12. Withdrawal
V. Post-marketing Experience
VI. Drug Interactions
VII. Specific Populations
1. Pregnancy
2. Lactation
3. Pediatric Use
4. Geriatric Use
5. Renal Impairment
VIII. Lookalike/Soundalike Concerns
IX. Storage and Handling
X. Patient Education Pearls
XI. Summary
From June 14, 2023 through June 14, 2026, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Steven Malen, PharmD, MBA, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S., was an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals until March 2022 and has no conflicts of interest or relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".