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The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet are: PL24668/0290, PL24668/0284, PL24668/0289, PL24668/0287, PL24668/0288, PL24668/0285, PL24668/0286, PL24668/0283.
Alzain 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 225mg, 300mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 25 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 50 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 75 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 100 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 150 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 200 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 225 mg Capsules, Hard
Alzain 300 mg Capsules, Hard
Pregabalin
1. What Alzain is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Alzain
3. How to take Alzain
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Alzain
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Alzain belongs to a group of medicines used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults.
Peripheral and central neuropathic pain: Alzain is used to treat long lasting pain caused by damage to the nerves.
A variety of diseases can cause peripheral neuropathic pain, such as diabetes or shingles. Pain sensations may be described as hot, burning, throbbing, shooting, stabbing, sharp, cramping, aching, tingling, numbness, pins and needles. Peripheral and central neuropathic pain may also be associated with mood changes, sleep disturbance, fatigue (tiredness), and can have an impact on physical and social functioning and overall quality of life.
Epilepsy: Alzain is used to treat a certain form of epilepsy (partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation) in adults. Your doctor will prescribe Alzain for you to help treat your epilepsy when your current treatment is not controlling your condition. You should take Alzain in addition to your current treatment.
Alzain is not intended to be used alone, but should always be used in combination with other anti-epileptic treatment.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Alzain is used to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The symptoms of GAD are prolonged excessive anxiety and worry that are difficult to control. GAD can also cause restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge, being easily fatigued (tired), having difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, feeling irritable, having muscle tension or sleep disturbance. This is different to the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Alzain.
The safety and efficacy in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age) has not been established and therefore, pregabalin should not be used in this age group.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Alzain and certain other medicines may influence each other (interaction). When taken with certain other medicines, which have sedative effects (including opioids), Alzain may potentiate these effects, and could lead to respiratory failure, coma and death. The degree of dizziness, sleepiness and decreased concentration may be increased if Alzain is taken together with medicines containing:
Oxycodone – (used as a pain killer)
Lorazepam – (used for treating anxiety)
Alcohol
Alzain may be taken with oral contraceptives.
Alzain capsules may be taken with or without food.
It is advised not to drink alcohol while taking Alzain.
Pregnancy
Alzain should not be taken during pregnancy or when breast-feeding, unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. Effective contraception must be used by women of child bearing potential. There has been limited research specifically looking at the use of Alzain in pregnant women. A recent study suggested that women who took Alzain while they were pregnant might have a slightly higher chance of having a baby born with physical birth abnormalities. More research is needed to better understand and inform on the safety of use of Alzain during pregnancy and whether it is associated with an increased risk of harm to the unborn child.
Alzain may produce dizziness, sleepiness and decreased concentration. You should not drive, operate complex machinery or engage in other potentially hazardous activities until you know whether this medicine affects your ability to perform these activities.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Your doctor will determine what dose is appropriate for you.
Alzain is for oral use only.
If you have the impression that the effect of Alzain is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are an elderly patient (over 65 years of age), you should take Alzain normally except if you have problems with your kidneys.
Your doctor may prescribe a different dosing schedule and/or dose if you have problems with your kidneys.
Swallow the capsule whole with water.
Continue taking Alzain until your doctor tells you to stop.
Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency unit immediately. Take your box of Alzain capsules with you. You may feel sleepy, confused, agitated, or restless as a result of taking more Alzain than you should. Fits have also been reported.
It is important to take your Alzain capsules regularly at the same time each day. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. In that case, just carry on with the next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Do not stop taking Alzain unless your doctor tells you to. If your treatment is stopped it should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week.
After stopping long and short-term Alzain treatment, you need to know that you may experience certain side effects. These include, trouble sleeping, headache, nausea, feeling anxious, diarrhoea, flu like symptoms, convulsions, nervousness, depression, pain, sweating, and dizziness. These symptoms may occur more commonly or severely if you have been taking Alzain for a longer period of time.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
Certain side effects may be more common, such as sleepiness, because patients with spinal cord injury may be taking other medicines to treat, for example, pain or spasticity, that have similar side effects to pregabalin and the severity of these effects may be increased when taken together.
The following adverse reaction has been reported in the post-marketing experience: Trouble breathing, shallow breaths.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Alzain 25 mg and 50 mg capsules: Do not store above 25°C.
Alzain 75, 100, 150, 200, 225 and 300 mg capsules: Do not store above 30°C.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
25 mg capsules White capsules, hard, size 4 (14.4 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 25” marked on the body.
50 mg capsules White capsules, hard, size 3 (15.8 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 50” marked on the body. The capsule body is marked with a black band.
75 mg capsules White and orange capsules, hard, size 4 (14.4 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 75” marked on the body.
100 mg capsules Orange capsules, hard, size 3 (15.8 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 100” marked on the body.
150 mg capsules White capsules, hard, size 2 (17.8 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 150” marked on the body.
200 mg capsules Light orange capsules, hard, size 1 (19.3 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 200” marked on the body.
225 mg capsules White and light orange capsules, hard, size 1 (19.3 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 225” marked on the body.
300 mg capsules White and orange capsules, hard, size 0 (21.4 ± 0.4 mm), with “PGB 300” marked on the body.
Alzain 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg are available in two pack sizes made of PVC with an aluminium foil backing: a 56 capsules pack and a 84 capsules pack.
Alzain 225 mg and 300 mg are available in one pack size made of PVC with an aluminium foil backing: a 56 capsules pack
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
This leaflet was last revised in 06/2022
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