Pregabalin

PREGABALIN — pregabalin capsule
Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Pregabalin capsule is indicated for:
• Management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Management of postherpetic neuralgia
• Adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older
• Management of fibromyalgia
• Management of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury

Pediatric use information is approved for Pfizer’s LYRICA (pregabalin) Capsules and Oral Solution products. However, due to Pfizer’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Important Administration Instructions

Pregabalin is given orally with or without food.

When discontinuing pregabalin, taper gradually over a minimum of 1 week [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Because pregabalin is eliminated primarily by renal excretion, adjust the dose in adult patients with reduced renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.7)].

2.2 Neuropathic Pain Associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Adults

The maximum recommended dose of pregabalin is 100 mg three times a day (300 mg/day) in patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. Begin dosing at 50 mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 300 mg/day within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability.

Although pregabalin was also studied at 600 mg/day, there is no evidence that this dose confers additional significant benefit and this dose was less well tolerated. In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions, treatment with doses above 300 mg/day is not recommended [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

2.3 Postherpetic Neuralgia in Adults

The recommended dose of pregabalin is 75 to 150 mg two times a day, or 50 to 100 mg three times a day (150 to 300 mg/day) in patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. Begin dosing at 75 mg two times a day, or 50 mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 300 mg/day within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability.

Patients who do not experience sufficient pain relief following 2 to 4 weeks of treatment with 300 mg/day, and who are able to tolerate pregabalin, may be treated with up to 300 mg two times a day, or 200 mg three times a day (600 mg/day). In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions and the higher rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions, reserve dosing above 300 mg/day for those patients who have on-going pain and are tolerating 300 mg daily [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

2.4 Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures in Patients 17 Years of Age and Older

The recommended dosage for adult patients 17 years of age and older is included in Table 1. Administer the total daily dosage orally in two or three divided doses as indicated in Table1. Based on clinical response and tolerability, dosage may be increased, approximately weekly.

Table 1. Recommended Dosage for Adult Patients 17 Years and Older

Age and Body Weight	Recommended Initial Dosage	Recommended Maximum Dosage	Frequency of Administration
Adults (17 years and older)	150 mg/day	600 mg/day	2 or 3 divided doses

Both the efficacy and adverse event profiles of pregabalin have been shown to be dose-related.

The effect of dose escalation rate on the tolerability of pregabalin has not been formally studied.

The efficacy of adjunctive pregabalin in patients taking gabapentin has not been evaluated in controlled trials. Consequently, dosing recommendations for the use of pregabalin with gabapentin cannot be offered.

Pediatric use information is approved for Pfizer’s LYRICA (pregabalin) Capsules and Oral Solution products. However, due to Pfizer’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information.

2.5 Management of Fibromyalgia in Adults

The recommended dose of pregabalin for fibromyalgia is 300 to 450 mg/day. Begin dosing at 75 mg two times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 150 mg two times a day (300 mg/day) within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability. Patients who do not experience sufficient benefit with 300 mg/day may be further increased to 225 mg two times a day (450 mg/day). Although pregabalin was also studied at 600 mg/day, there is no evidence that this dose confers additional benefit and this dose was less well tolerated. In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions, treatment with doses above 450 mg/day is not recommended [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

2.6 Neuropathic Pain Associated with Spinal Cord Injury in Adults

The recommended dose range of pregabalin for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury is 150 to 600 mg/day. The recommended starting dose is 75 mg two times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 150 mg two times a day (300 mg/day) within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability. Patients who do not experience sufficient pain relief after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment with 150 mg two times a day and who tolerate pregabalin may be treated with up to 300 mg two times a day [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].

2.7 Dosing for Adult Patients with Renal Impairment

In view of dose-dependent adverse reactions and since pregabalin is eliminated primarily by renal excretion, adjust the dose in adult patients with reduced renal function. The use of pregabalin in pediatric patients with compromised renal function has not been studied. Base the dose adjustment in patients with renal impairment on creatinine clearance (CLcr), as indicated in Table 2. To use this dosing table, an estimate of the patient’s CLcr in mL/min is needed. CLcr in mL/min may be estimated from serum creatinine (mg/dL) determination using the Cockcroft and Gault equation:

Next, refer to the Dosage and Administration section to determine the recommended total daily dose based on indication, for a patient with normal renal function (CLcr greater than or equal to 60 mL/min). Then refer to Table 2 to determine the corresponding renal adjusted dose.
(For example: A patient initiating pregabalin therapy for postherpetic neuralgia with normal renal function (CLcr greater than or equal to 60 mL/min), receives a total daily dose of 150 mg/day pregabalin. Therefore, a renal impaired patient with a CLcr of 50 mL/min would receive a total daily dose of 75 mg/day pregabalin administered in two or three divided doses.)
For patients undergoing hemodialysis, adjust the pregabalin daily dose based on renal function. In addition to the daily dose adjustment, administer a supplemental dose immediately following every 4-hour hemodialysis treatment (see Table 2).
Table 2. Pregabalin Dosage Adjustment Based on Renal Function

Creatinine Clearance (CLcr) (mL/min)	Total Pregabalin Daily Dose (mg/day)*				Dose Regimen
Greater than or equal to 60	150	300	450	600	BID or TID
30 to 60	75	150	225	300	BID or TID
15 to 30	25 to 50	75	100 to 150	150	QD or BID
Less than 15	25	25 to 50	50 to 75	75	QD
Supplementary dosage following hemodialysis (mg)†
Patients on the 25 mg QD regimen: take one supplemental dose of 25 mg or 50 mg Patients on the 25 to 50 mg QD regimen: take one supplemental dose of 50 mg or 75 mgPatients on the 50 to 75 mg QD regimen: take one supplemental dose of 75 mg or 100 mgPatients on the 75 mg QD regimen: take one supplemental dose of 100 mg or 150 mg

TID= Three divided doses; BID = Two divided doses;QD = Single daily dose.
*Total daily dose (mg/day) should be divided as indicated by dose regimen to provide mg/dose.^† Supplementary dose is a single additional dose.