Two different gabapentin to pregabalin transition designs were simulated based on their respective population pharmacokinetic profiles. The first design involved immediate discontinuation of gabapentin therapy with initiation of pregabalin therapy at the next scheduled dose period. Offer one of the other three remaining drug options (for example if on amitriptyline, switch to duloxetine, gabapentin, or pregabalin). If the treatment is still not effective or is not tolerated, consider switching again until a suitable treatment is found, or all four drugs have been tried. An open label study substituted gabapentin with pregabalin in patients with neuropathic pain due to peripheral neuropathy. The author describes an overnight switch from gabapentin to pregabalin, based on a conversion table which is described in the paper as “of the author’s creation” (table 1). Consider the potential for misuse or illicit diversion before prescribing pregabalin, gabapentin or tramadol. Patients should be told about the risk of abuse and dependence. Tramadol has limited position for acute use. NICE do NOT advice use of long-term tramadol unless advised by specialist. Gabapentin and pregabalin both require dose adjustment in individuals with reduced renal function. Consult the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) for gabapentin and pregabalin for further information before determining an equivalent dose and switching strategy. There are different ways of switching between pregabalin and gabapentin. Below is a method for direct switching between the two drugs, which does not involve cross-titration. Ensure that gabapentin and pregabalin are prescribed at an appropriate place in therapy for neuropathic pain taking into consideration value for money. Ensure prescribed (and taken) doses of pregabalin and gabapentin are not outside the therapeutic dose range. Prescribing of pregabalin capsules should be optimised to the replace gabapentin 600mg three times a day with pregabalin 200mg twice a day replace gabapentin 900mg three times a day with pregabalin 200mg twice a day (Note: switch to pregabalin 200mg twice a day is recommended from both 600mg and 900mg three times a day of gabapentin). The dose of pregabalin can be further increased of gabapentin falls from 60% to 33% as the total daily dosage increase from 900mg to 3600 mg. For safety reasons the Nottinghamshire APC guideline recommends that the maximum daily dose of gabapentin should NOT exceed 1800mg. Gabapentin in renal impairment (ref: Neurontin SPC): Creatinine Clearance (ml/min) Dose ≥80 300mg TDS to 600mg TDS In both designs, transition from gabapentin to pregabalin was seamless, with predicted pregabalin-equivalent concentrations comparable following immediate discontinuation of gabapentin and the gradual discontinuation of gabapentin. Public Health England's report and the government's consultation on the reclassification of gabapentin and pregabalin indicate that prescriptions of gabapentin increased from 4.9 million prescriptions in 2013 (before implementation of NICE's guideline on neuropathic pain in adults, which published in November 2013) to 7.1 million prescriptions gabapentin, like Lyrica, does have abuse potential. This reinforces the importance of ensuring each patient taking gabapentin has an appropriate indication, dose and frequency to maximize benefit and avoid adverse events or misuse. Daily Dose of Gabapentin (mg/day) Daily Dose of Lyrica (mg/day) 0 – 300 50 301 – 450 75 451 – 600 100 Switching between gabapentin and pregabalin for neuropathic pain. If treatment is not effective or tolerated, NICE guidance for neuropathic pain in adults recommends switching to an alternative treatment (1) may include switching between the gabapentinoids: gabapentin and pregabalin (1) We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Systematic reviews have found moderate quality evidence to support the use of gabapentin and pregabalin in people with peripheral diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia. 4 Approximately 40% of people taking pregabalin (600 mg, daily) and 30% of people taking gabapentin (≥ 1,200 mg, daily) for at least eight weeks achieved ≥ 50% In an open-label study, analgesia improved after switching from gabapentin to pregabalin.3 There is no established guidance on converting between gabapentin and pregabalin.4 The manufacturers of both pregabalin and gabapentin advise that if they are to be stopped or changed to another medication, the dose should be tapered gradually over at leas Previously, studies have shown 6:1 conversion factor, from gabapentin to pregabalin. (Pain Med. 2011 Jul;12(7):1112-6.) The Literature: Am J Ther. 2013 Jan;20(1):32-6.* Compared unidirectional switch from gabapentin to pregabalin with two rotation strategies: 1. Direct switch o Stop gabapentin, initiate pregabalin at next scheduled dose period TCAs with gabapentin, pregabalin and commonly used antidepressants Amitriptyline or nortriptyline (at doses recommended in this guideline) may safely be added to the following: • Gabapentin (increased risk of hyponatraemia). • Pregabalin • Citalopram 20 mg PO daily (increased risk of hyponatraemia) An in-house pharmacokinetic simulation suggests that a regime of halving the original gabapentin dose, and introducing half the intended dose of pregabalin on day 0, then stopping gabapentin and doubling the pregabalin dose on day 4 leads to fairly stable drug levels of pregabalin equivalents. For daily doses of pregabalin below 150mg daily, e.g. 100mg, 75mg – switch to gabapentin 100mg tds, and titrate up if necessary. Renal impairment: dose reductions are recommended for both pregabalin
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