Pregabalin: its pharmacology and use in pain management

Anesth Analg. 2007 Dec;105(6):1805-15. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000287643.13410.5e.

Abstract

Pregabalin is a new synthetic molecule and a structural derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is an alpha2-delta (alpha2-delta) ligand that has analgesic, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sleep-modulating activities. Pregabalin binds potently to the alpha2-delta subunit of calcium channels, resulting in a reduction in the release of several neurotransmitters, including glutamate, noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, and substance P. In this review, I will discuss the pharmacology of pregabalin and available efficacy studies in pain management. This review will focus on the advances in pregabalin pharmacology since my previous review in 2005.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / metabolism
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid