Background: Pregabalin is an antiepileptic drug belonging to the gabapentinoid family used for antinociceptive, anticon-vulsant and anxiolytic purposes. In recent years, a growing body of observational studies and surveys has been highlighting the increasingly common recourse to a non-medical use of pregabalin. Young subjects with a past or current history of substance use disorder, mainly arising from the taking of opiates appear to be at risk of developing the non-medical use of pregabalin. The pathogenetic mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unclear. Case Report: In the present paper, we describe the case of a 25-year-old male who was hospitalized in the 2nd Psychiatric Unit of Psychiatry at the University of Pisa for a non-medical use of pregabalin. We speculated on the reasons why the patient developed a pregabalin use disorder. Was pregabalin being used to gain a ‘primary’ reward or as a ‘booster’ to enhance the effects of other substances? Alternatively, was it being self-administered to achieve relief from withdrawal symptoms caused by other substances, or for pain management? Conclusions: This paper adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that pregabalin has a non-medical use potential. When prescribing pregabalin, clinicians should consider completing a risk assessment for non-medical use, especially in patients with a Substance Use Disorder history. Therefore, pregabalin off-label prescriptions should be carefully considered. © 2020, Pacini Editore S.p.A.. All rights reserved.
Is the non-medical use of pregabalin related to reward/relief craving coupled to an unbalanced opioid system?
Maremmani, Angelo G. I.;
2020-01-01
Abstract
Background: Pregabalin is an antiepileptic drug belonging to the gabapentinoid family used for antinociceptive, anticon-vulsant and anxiolytic purposes. In recent years, a growing body of observational studies and surveys has been highlighting the increasingly common recourse to a non-medical use of pregabalin. Young subjects with a past or current history of substance use disorder, mainly arising from the taking of opiates appear to be at risk of developing the non-medical use of pregabalin. The pathogenetic mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unclear. Case Report: In the present paper, we describe the case of a 25-year-old male who was hospitalized in the 2nd Psychiatric Unit of Psychiatry at the University of Pisa for a non-medical use of pregabalin. We speculated on the reasons why the patient developed a pregabalin use disorder. Was pregabalin being used to gain a ‘primary’ reward or as a ‘booster’ to enhance the effects of other substances? Alternatively, was it being self-administered to achieve relief from withdrawal symptoms caused by other substances, or for pain management? Conclusions: This paper adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that pregabalin has a non-medical use potential. When prescribing pregabalin, clinicians should consider completing a risk assessment for non-medical use, especially in patients with a Substance Use Disorder history. Therefore, pregabalin off-label prescriptions should be carefully considered. © 2020, Pacini Editore S.p.A.. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
