Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

The Sciatic Nerve Cuffing Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: July 16, 2014
Pregabalin: a new agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain
1Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. grazyna_zareba@urmc.rochester.edu
Abstract:
Pregabalin (Lyrica, Pfizer) is a GABA analog with similar structure and actions to gabapentin. It has antiepileptic, analgesic and anxiolytic activity. Pregabalin is indicated for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia. Peak plasma levels occur approximately 1 hour after oral doses and oral bioavailability is about 90%. Based on AUC data, food does not significantly affect the extent of absorption. Pregabalin is not protein-bound and exhibits a plasma half-life of about 6 hours, which is not dose-dependent. Hepatic metabolism is negligible, and most of the oral dose (95%) appears unchanged in the urine. Pregabalin is a safe and well-tolerated new treatment for neuropathic pain. Furthermore, pregabalin has proven efficacy in adjunctive therapy of refractory partial seizures and in the treatment of acute pain, generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia.
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Analgesia and Pain Management
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Pain
Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
