Pregabalin
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Pregabalin during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address questions people often ask. It does not include every detail that exists about this medicine, and it does not replace guidance from your veterinary care team.
Description
Pregabalin for pets in Perth: This medicine can help with seizures, can reduce pain, and can lower anxiety.
It comes as capsules, long-acting (extended-release) tablets, and liquid forms taken by mouth.
Other common names
- Bonqat
- Lyrica
Uses
Approved uses in animals:
- In cats, it can be used to lessen anxiety and fear related to travel and veterinary visits.
At your veterinarian’s judgment, it may also be used in other animals or for other purposes (this is called extra-label use), including:
- Pain in dogs, cats, and other animals, especially long-lasting pain, nerve-related pain, or pain linked with cancer.
- Seizures in dogs, cats, and other animals.
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any other medicines or supplements your animal is currently receiving.
- Any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- Any unwanted reactions your animal has had with medicines in the past.
- The possible risks of using this medicine if your animal is pregnant or nursing.
Warnings for animals
Do not give this medicine to animals:
- That have had an allergic reaction to pregabalin or to gabapentin.
Be careful using this medicine in animals:
- That have kidney disease.
- That have high blood pressure (hypertension) or other heart problems.
- That have asthma or other breathing-related disorders.
Some animal competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is taking this medicine.
Warnings for humans
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
- If the liquid form gets into your eyes by accident:
- Rinse the eyes with water for 15 minutes.
- If you wear contact lenses, rinse your eyes before you remove the lenses and again after you remove them.
- If you feel dizzy, very sleepy, have blurry vision, or feel weak, contact a doctor.
- This is a controlled substance. It must be used only for the animal it was prescribed for. Giving it to someone else or selling it is illegal.
How do I give this medication?
Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian directed. Always follow the directions printed on the prescription label.
This medicine may be used to help with anxiety, pain, and seizures.
It can be given with food or without food.
If you are using it before travel to a veterinary visit, give it about 90 minutes before you leave.
Additional directions:
- If it is being used before travel, give it on an empty stomach or with only a small amount of food.
- Do not break, split, or crush long-acting (extended-release) tablets.
- If you are giving a liquid, use the oral dosing syringe that came with the prescription. After use, rinse the syringe with water and let it dry. Do not use kitchen spoons or other household tools to measure liquid medicine.
- If your animal spits out some of the dose, vomits, or drools a lot after a dose, contact your veterinarian. Do not give another dose.
Side effects of Pregabalin for pets
Common – contact your veterinarian if these problems are strong, keep happening, or get worse over time:
- Sleepiness.
- Weakness.
- Trouble walking normally or acting unsteady.
- Vomiting or drooling.
- In cats, not eating at all.
Severe – stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian right away if you notice any of these signs:
If your animal becomes extremely sleepy or very unsteady after a dose, keep your animal warm. Do not offer food or water until the medicine’s effects have passed, which is usually within a few hours.
How will I know it's working?
If your animal’s problems get worse or do not get better, contact your veterinary clinic.
- When used for anxiety, your animal should seem calmer within 1 to 2 hours.
- When used for pain, you may notice some improvement within the first days or weeks, but it may take several weeks to reach the strongest effect.
- When used for seizures, it should start to help within the first couple of weeks. It can take several weeks to judge how well it is working.
How long will the medication effects last?
The effects of this medicine will be gone within 24 hours after the last dose.
If your animal’s kidneys do not work as well, the effects may last longer.
How long do I give it for?
This medicine may be used for different time periods. Keep giving it for as long as your veterinarian instructs. You may need prescription refills.
If it is being used for seizures, or if it has been given for a long time, the dose must be reduced slowly over time.
Stopping it suddenly can lead to seizures, vomiting, or pain.
Speak with your veterinarian before you stop this medicine.
Overdose
If you see an overdose happen or think one may have happened, call your veterinarian right away (a consultation fee applies).
If you can, have the medicine container or label with you.
Missed dose
In most situations, if you forget a dose:
- Give it as soon as you remember, and then go back to the usual schedule.
If it is almost time for the next dose:
- Do not give the missed dose.
- Give the next dose at the regular scheduled time.
If you are not sure what to do, call your veterinary clinic. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
Continue with the normal dosing schedule.
Storage
- Keep tablets and capsules in their original container at room temperature.
- Keep the veterinary liquid in the refrigerator. After opening, it must be used within 6 months. During that 6-month period, it may be kept at room temperature for up to 1 month.
- The human liquid form should be kept at room temperature.
- Store where children and animals cannot reach it.
- Because this is a controlled substance, keep it in a safe place and out of view.
Disposal
Throw away the veterinary liquid 6 months after the bottle is opened.
Because this medicine is a controlled substance, get rid of any unused medicine as soon as you can. Do not flush it down a toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
Ways to dispose of unused or expired medicine include:
- Drug take-back locations: This is the best option when available. To find a nearby location, contact your local law enforcement or your waste management office.
- Home disposal: Mix the medicine with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put it into a sealed plastic bag, and place it in the trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine and do not give it to anyone else to use.
Questions?
Speak with your veterinarian.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”