Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Lyrica Capsules





1. Name Of The Medicinal Product



LYRICA 25 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 50 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 75 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 100 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 150 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 200 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 225 mg hard capsules



LYRICA 300 mg hard capsules


2. Qualitative And Quantitative Composition



Each hard capsule contains 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg or 300 mg of pregabalin.



Excipients:



[25mg] Each hard capsule contains 35mg lactose monohydrate.



[50mg] Each hard capsule also contains 70 mg lactose monohydrate.



[75mg] Each hard capsule also contains 8.25 mg lactose monohydrate.



[100mg] Each hard capsule also contains 11 mg lactose monohydrate.



[150mg] Each hard capsule also contains 16.50 mg lactose monohydrate.



[200mg] Each hard capsule also contains 22 mg lactose monohydrate.



[225mg] Each hard capsule also contains 24.75 mg lactose monohydrate.



[300mg] Each hard capsule also contains 33 mg lactose monohydrate.



For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.



3. Pharmaceutical Form



Hard capsule



25 mg capsule: White, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 25” on the body with black ink.



50 mg capsule: White, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 50” on the body with black ink. The body is also marked with a black band.



75 mg capsule: White and orange, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 75” on the body with black ink.



100 mg capsule: Orange, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 100” on the body with black ink.



150 mg capsule: White, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 150” on the body with black ink.



200 mg capsule: Light orange, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 200” on the body with black ink.



225 mg capsule: White and orange, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 225” on the body with black ink.



300 mg capsule: White and light orange, marked “Pfizer” on the cap and “PGN 300” on the body with black ink.



4. Clinical Particulars



4.1 Therapeutic Indications



Neuropathic pain



Lyrica is indicated for the treatment of peripheral and central neuropathic pain in adults.



Epilepsy



Lyrica is indicated as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial seizures with or without secondary generalisation.



Generalised Anxiety Disorder



LYRICA is indicated for the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in adults.



4.2 Posology And Method Of Administration



Posology



The dose range is 150 to 600 mg per day given in either two or three divided doses.



Neuropathic pain



Pregabalin treatment can be started at a dose of 150 mg per day given as two or three divided doses. Based on individual patient response and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 300 mg per day after an interval of 3 to 7 days, and if needed, to a maximum dose of 600 mg per day after an additional 7-day interval.



Epilepsy



Pregabalin treatment can be started with a dose of 150 mg per day given as two or three divided doses. Based on individual patient response and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 300 mg per day after 1 week. The maximum dose of 600 mg per day may be achieved after an additional week.



Generalised Anxiety Disorder



The dose range is 150 to 600 mg per day given as two or three divided doses. The need for treatment should be reassessed regularly.



Pregabalin treatment can be started with a dose of 150 mg per day. Based on individual patient response and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 300 mg per day after 1 week. Following an additional week the dose may be increased to 450 mg per day. The maximum dose of 600 mg per day may be achieved after an additional week.



Discontinuation of pregabalin



In accordance with current clinical practice, if pregabalin has to be discontinued it is recommended this should be done gradually over a minimum of 1 week independent of the indication (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).



Special populations



Patients with renal impairment



Pregabalin is eliminated from the systemic circulation primarily by renal excretion as unchanged drug. As pregabalin clearance is directly proportional to creatinine clearance (see section 5.2), dose reduction in patients with compromised renal function must be individualised according to creatinine clearance (CLcr), as indicated in Table 1 determined using the following formula:







 
 

 


Pregabalin is removed effectively from plasma by haemodialysis (50% of drug in 4 hours). For patients receiving haemodialysis, the pregabalin daily dose should be adjusted based on renal function. In addition to the daily dose, a supplementary dose should be given immediately following every 4-hour haemodialysis treatment (see Table 1).



Table 1. Pregabalin dose adjustment based on renal function




































Creatinine clearance (CLcr)



(mL/min)




Total pregabalin daily dose *




Dose regimen


 

 


Starting dose (mg/day)




Maximum dose (mg/day)



 





150




600




BID or TID







75




300




BID or TID







25 - 50




150




Once Daily or BID




< 15




25




75




Once Daily




Supplementary dosage following haemodialysis (mg)


   

 


25




100




Single dose+



TID = Three divided doses



BID = Two divided doses



* Total daily dose (mg/day) should be divided as indicated by dose regimen to provide mg/dose



+ Supplementary dose is a single additional dose



Use in patients with hepatic impairment



No dose adjustment is required for patients with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).



Paediatric population



The safety and efficacy of Lyrica in children below the age of 12 years and in adolescents (12-17 years of age) have not been established. No data are available.



Use in the elderly (over 65 years of age)



Elderly patients may require a dose reduction of pregabalin due to a decreased renal function (see patients with renal impairment).



Method of administration



Lyrica may be taken with or without food.



LYRICA is for oral use only.



4.3 Contraindications



Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.



4.4 Special Warnings And Precautions For Use



Diabetic patients



In accordance with current clinical practice, some diabetic patients who gain weight on pregabalin treatment may need to adjust hypoglycaemic medicinal products.



Hypersensitivity reactions



There have been reports in the postmarketing experience of hypersensitivity reactions, including cases of angioedema. Pregabalin should be discontinued immediately if symptoms of angioedema, such as facial, perioral, or upper airway swelling occur.



Dizziness, somnolence, loss of consciousness, confusion, and mental impairment



Pregabalin treatment has been associated with dizziness and somnolence, which could increase the occurrence of accidental injury (fall) in the elderly population. There have also been post-marketing reports of loss of consciousness, confusion and mental impairment. Therefore, patients should be advised to exercise caution until they are familiar with the potential effects of the medicinal product.



Vision-related effects



In controlled trials, a higher proportion of patients treated with pregabalin reported blurred vision than did patients treated with placebo which resolved in a majority of cases with continued dosing. In the clinical studies where ophthalmologic testing was conducted, the incidence of visual acuity reduction and visual field changes was greater in pregabalin-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients; the incidence of fundoscopic changes was greater in placebo-treated patients (see section 5.1).



In the post-marketing experience, visual adverse reactions have also been reported, including loss of vision, visual blurring or other changes of visual acuity, many of which were transient. Discontinuation of pregabalin may result in resolution or improvement of these visual symptoms.



Renal failure



Cases of renal failure have been reported and in some cases discontinuation of pregabalin did show reversibility of this adverse reaction.



Withdrawal of concomitant antiepileptic medicinal products



There are insufficient data for the withdrawal of concomitant antiepileptic medicinal products, once seizure control with pregabalin in the add-on situation has been reached, in order to reach monotherapy on pregabalin.



Withdrawal symptoms



After discontinuation of short-term and long-term treatment with pregabalin withdrawal symptoms have been observed in some patients. The following events have been mentioned: insomnia, headache, nausea, anxiety, diarrhoea, flu syndrome, nervousness, depression, pain, convulsion, hyperhidrosis and dizziness. The patient should be informed about this at the start of the treatment.



Convulsions, including status epilepticus and grand mal convulsions, may occur during pregabalin use or shortly after discontinuing pregabalin.



Concerning discontinuation of long-term treatment of pregabalin there are no data of the incidence and severity of withdrawal symptoms in relation to duration of use and dose of pregabalin.



Congestive heart failure



There have been post-marketing reports of congestive heart failure in some patients receiving pregabalin. These reactions are mostly seen in elderly cardiovascular compromised patients during pregabalin treatment for a neuropathic indication. Pregabalin should be used with caution in these patients. Discontinuation of pregabalin may resolve the reaction.



Treatment of central neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury



In the treatment of central neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury the incidence of adverse reactions in general, central nervous system adverse reactions and especially somnolence was increased. This may be attributed to an additive effect due to concomitant medicinal products (e.g. anti-spasticity agents) needed for this condition. This should be considered when prescribing pregabalin in this condition.



Suicidal ideation and behaviour



Suicidal ideation and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptic agents in several indications. A meta-analysis of randomised placebo controlled studies of anti-epileptic drugs has also shown a small increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour. The mechanism of this risk is not known and the available data do not exclude the possibility of an increased risk for pregabalin.



Therefore patients should be monitored for signs of suicidal ideation and behaviours and appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be advised to seek medical advice should signs of suicidal ideation or behaviour emerge.



Reduced lower gastrointestinal tract function



There are post-marketing reports of events related to reduced lower gastrointestinal tract function (e.g., intestinal obstruction, paralytic ileus, constipation) when pregabalin was co-administered with medications that have the potential to produce constipation, such as opioid analgesics. When pregabalin and opioids will be used in combination, measures to prevent constipation may be considered (especially in female patients and elderly).



Abuse potential



Cases of abuse have been reported. Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of substance abuse and the patient should be monitored for symptoms of pregabalin abuse.



Encephalopathy



Cases of encephalopathy have been reported, mostly in patients with underlying conditions that may precipitate encephalopathy.



Lactose intolerance



Lyrica contains lactose monohydrate. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.



4.5 Interaction With Other Medicinal Products And Other Forms Of Interaction



Since pregabalin is predominantly excreted unchanged in the urine, undergoes negligible metabolism in humans (<2% of a dose recovered in urine as metabolites), does not inhibit drug metabolism in vitro, and is not bound to plasma proteins, it is unlikely to produce, or be subject to, pharmacokinetic interactions.



In vivo studies and population pharmacokinetic analysis



Accordingly, in in vivo studies no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions were observed between pregabalin and phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, gabapentin, lorazepam, oxycodone or ethanol. Population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that oral antidiabetics, diuretics, insulin, phenobarbital, tiagabine and topiramate had no clinically significant effect on pregabalin clearance.



Oral contraceptives, norethisterone and/or ethinyl oestradiol



Co-administration of pregabalin with the oral contraceptives norethisterone and/or ethinyl oestradiol does not influence the steady-state pharmacokinetics of either substance.



Ethanol, lorazepam, oxycodone



Pregabalin may potentiate the effects of ethanol and lorazepam. In controlled clinical trials, multiple oral doses of pregabalin co-administered with oxycodone, lorazepam, or ethanol did not result in clinically important effects on respiration. In the postmarketing experience, there are reports of respiratory failure and coma in patients taking pregabalin and other CNS depressant medicinal products. Pregabalin appears to be additive in the impairment of cognitive and gross motor function caused by oxycodone.



Interactions and the elderly



No specific pharmacodynamic interaction studies were conducted in elderly volunteers. Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.



4.6 Pregnancy And Lactation



Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females



As the potential risk for humans is unknown, effective contraception must be used in women of child bearing potential.



Pregnancy



There are no adequate data from the use of pregabalin in pregnant women.



Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown.



Lyrica should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary (if the benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the foetus).



Breast-feeding



It is not known if pregabalin is excreted in the breast milk of humans; however, it is present in the milk of rats. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with pregabalin.



Fertility



There are no clinical data on the effects of pregabalin on female fertility.



In a clinical trial to assess the effect of pregabalin on sperm motility, healthy male subjects were exposed to pregabalin at a dose of 600 mg/day. After 3 months of treatment, there were no effects on sperm motility.



A fertilty study in female rats has shown adverse reproductive effects. Fertility studies in male rats have shown adverse reproductive and developmental effects. The clinical relevance of these findings is unknown (see section 5.3).



4.7 Effects On Ability To Drive And Use Machines



Lyrica may have minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Lyrica may cause dizziness and somnolence and therefore may influence the ability to drive or use machines. Patients are advised not to drive, operate complex machinery or engage in other potentially hazardous activities until it is known whether this medicinal product affects their ability to perform these activities.



4.8 Undesirable Effects



The pregabalin clinical programme involved over 8900 patients who were exposed to pregabalin, of whom over 5600 were in double-blind placebo controlled trials. The most commonly reported adverse reactions were dizziness and somnolence. Adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in intensity. In all controlled studies, the discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 12% for patients receiving pregabalin and 5% for patients receiving placebo. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation from pregabalin treatment groups were dizziness and somnolence.



In the table below all adverse reactions, which occurred at an incidence greater than placebo and in more than one patient, are listed by class and frequency (very common (<1/10); uncommon (<1/100); rare (<1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).



Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.



The adverse reactions listed may also be associated with the underlying disease and / or concomitant medicinal products.



In the treatment of central neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury the incidence of adverse reactions in general, CNS adverse reactions and especially somnolence was increased (See 4.4).



Additional reactions reported from post-marketing experience are included as Frequency not known in italics in the list below.
















































































































































System Organ Class




Adverse drug reactions




Infections and infestations


 


Uncommon




Nasopharyngitis




Blood and lymphatic system disorders


 


Rare




Neutropenia




Immune system disorders


 


Frequency not known




Hypersensitivity, angioedema, allergic reaction




Metabolism and nutrition disorders


 


Common




Appetite increased




Uncommon




Anorexia, hypoglycaemia




Psychiatric disorders


 


Common




Euphoric mood, confusion, irritability, libido decreased, disorientation, insomnia




Uncommon




Hallucination, panic attack, restlessness, agitation, depression, depressed mood, mood swings, depersonalisation, word finding difficulty, abnormal dreams, libido increased, anorgasmia, apathy




Rare




Disinhibition, elevated mood




Frequency not known




Aggression




Nervous system disorders


 


Very Common




Dizziness, somnolence




Common




Ataxia, coordination abnormal, tremor, dysarthria, memory impairment, disturbance in attention, paraesthesia, sedation, balance disorder, lethargy, headache




Uncommon




Syncope, stupor, myoclonus, psychomotor hyperactivity, ageusia, dyskinesia, dizziness postural, intention tremor, nystagmus, cognitive disorder, speech disorder, hyporeflexia, hypoaesthesia, amnesia, hyperaesthesia, burning sensation




Rare




Hypokinesia, parosmia, dysgraphia




Frequency not known




Loss of consciousness, mental impairment, convulsions, malaise




Eye disorders


 


Common




Vision blurred, diplopia




Uncommon




Visual disturbance, eye swelling, visual field defect, visual acuity reduced, eye pain, asthenopia, dry eye, lacrimation increased




Rare




Peripheral vision loss, oscillopsia, altered visual depth perception, photopsia, eye irritation, mydriasis, strabismus, visual brightness




Frequency not known




Vision loss, keratitis




Ear and labyrinth disorders


 


Common




Vertigo




Uncommon




Hyperacusis




Cardiac disorders


 


Uncommon




Tachycardia, atrioventricular block first degree




Rare




Sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia




Frequency not known




Congestive heart failure, QT prolongation




Vascular disorders


 


Uncommon




Flushing, hot flushes, hypotension, hypertension




Rare




Peripheral coldness




Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders


 


Uncommon




Dyspnoea, nasal dryness




Rare




Epistaxis, throat tightness, cough, nasal congestion, rhinitis, snoring




Frequency not known




Pulmonary oedema




Gastrointestinal disorders


 


Common




Vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, flatulence




Uncommon




Abdominal distension, gastrooesophageal reflux disease, salivary hypersecretion, hypoaesthesia oral




Rare




Ascites, pancreatitis, dysphagia




Frequency not known



Swollen tongue, diarrhoea, nausea


Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders


 


Uncommon




Rash papular, hyperhidrosis




Rare




Urticaria, cold sweat




Frequency not known



Stevens Johnson syndrome, pruritus


Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders


 


Uncommon




Muscle twitching, joint swelling, muscle cramp, myalgia, arthralgia, back pain, pain in limb, muscle stiffness




Rare




Rhabdomyolysis, cervical spasm, neck pain




Renal and urinary disorders


 


Uncommon




Urinary incontinence, dysuria




Rare




Renal failure, oliguria




Frequency not known




Urinary retention




Reproductive system and breast disorders


 


Common




Erectile dysfunction




Uncommon




Ejaculation delayed, sexual dysfunction




Rare




Amenorrhoea, breast discharge, breast pain, dysmenorrhoea, breast enlargement




Frequency not known




Gynaecomastia




General disorders and administration site conditions


 


Common




Gait abnormal, feeling drunk, fatigue, oedema peripheral, oedema




Uncommon




Fall, chest tightness, asthenia, thirst, pain, feeling abnormal, chills




Rare




Generalised oedema, pyrexia




Frequency not known




Face oedema




Investigations


 


Common




Weight increased




Uncommon




Blood creatine phosphokinase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, platelet count decreased




Rare




Blood glucose increased, blood potassium decreased, white blood cell count decreased, blood creatinine increased, weight decreased



After discontinuation of short-term and long-term treatment with pregabalin withdrawal symptoms have been observed in some patients. The following reactions have been mentioned: insomnia, headache, nausea, anxiety, diarrhoea, flu syndrome, convulsions, nervousness, depression, pain, hyperhidrosis and dizziness. The patient should be informed about this at the start of the treatment.



Concerning discontinuation of long-term treatment of pregabalin there are no data of the incidence and severity of withdrawal symptoms in relation to duration of use and dose of pregabalin.



4.9 Overdose



In overdoses up to 15 g, no unexpected adverse reactions were reported.



In the post-marketing experience, the most commonly reported adverse reactions observed when pregabalin was taken in overdose included somnolence, confusional state, agitation, and restlessness.



Treatment of pregabalin overdose should include general supportive measures and may include haemodialysis if necessary (see section 4.2 Table 1).



5. Pharmacological Properties



5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties



Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antiepileptics, other antiepileptics ATC code: N03AX16



The active substance, pregabalin, is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue ((S)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid).



Mechanism of action



Pregabalin binds to an auxiliary subunit (α2-δ protein) of voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system,



Clinical experience



Neuropathic pain



Efficacy has been shown in trials in diabetic neuropathy, post herpetic neuralgia and spinal cord injury. Efficacy has not been studied in other models of neuropathic pain.



Pregabalin has been studied in 10 controlled clinical trials of up to 13 weeks with twice a day dosing (BID) and up to 8 weeks with three times a day (TID) dosing. Overall, the safety and efficacy profiles for BID and TID dosing regimens were similar.



In clinical trials up to 12 weeks for both peripheral and central neuropathic pain, a reduction in pain was seen by week 1 and was maintained throughout the treatment period.



In controlled clinical trials in peripheral neuropathic pain 35% of the pregabalin treated patients and 18% of the patients on placebo had a 50% improvement in pain score. For patients not experiencing somnolence, such an improvement was observed in 33% of patients treated with pregabalin and 18% of patients on placebo. For patients who experienced somnolence the responder rates were 48% on pregabalin and 16% on placebo.



In the controlled clinical trial in central neuropathic pain 22% of the Pregabalin treated patients and 7% of the patients on placebo had a 50% improvement in pain score.



Epilepsy



Adjunctive Treatment



Pregabalin has been studied in 3 controlled clinical trials of 12 week duration with either twice a day dosing (BID) or three times a day (TID) dosing. Overall, the safety and efficacy profiles for BID and TID dosing regimens were similar.



A reduction in seizure frequency was observed by Week 1.



Monotherapy (newly diagnosed patients)



Pregabalin has been studied in 1 controlled clinical trial of 56 week duration with twice a day dosing (BID). Pregabalin did not achieve non-inferiority to lamotrigine based on the 6-month seizure freedom endpoint. Pregabalin and lamotrigine were similarly safe and well tolerated.



Generalised Anxiety Disorder



Pregabalin has been studied in 6 controlled trials of 4-6 week duration, an elderly study of 8 week duration and a long-term relapse prevention study with a double blind relapse prevention phase of 6 months duration.



Relief of the symptoms of GAD as reflected by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) was observed by Week 1.



In controlled clinical trials (4-8 week duration) 52% of the pregabalin treated patients and 38% of the patients on placebo had at least a 50% improvement in HAM-A total score from baseline to endpoint.



In controlled trials, a higher proportion of patients treated with pregabalin reported blurred vision than did patients treated with placebo which resolved in a majority of cases with continued dosing. Ophthamologic testing (including visual acuity testing, formal visual field testing and dilated funduscopic examination) was conducted in over 3600 patients within controlled clinical trials. In these patients, visual acuity was reduced in 6.5% of patients treated with pregabalin, and 4.8% of placebo-treated patients. Visual field changes were detected in 12.4% of pregabalin-treated, and 11.7% of placebo-treated patients. Funduscopic changes were observed in 1.7% of pregabalin-treated and 2.1% of placebo-treated patients.



5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties



Pregabalin steady-state pharmacokinetics are similar in healthy volunteers, patients with epilepsy receiving anti-epileptic drugs and patients with chronic pain.



Absorption:



Pregabalin is rapidly absorbed when administered in the fasted state, with peak plasma concentrations occurring within 1 hour following both single and multiple dose administration. Pregabalin oral bioavailability is estimated to be max by approximately 25-30% and a delay in tmax to approximately 2.5 hours. However, administration of pregabalin with food has no clinically significant effect on the extent of pregabalin absorption.



Distribution:



In preclinical studies, pregabalin has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier in mice, rats, and monkeys. Pregabalin has been shown to cross the placenta in rats and is present in the milk of lactating rats. In humans, the apparent volume of distribution of pregabalin following oral administration is approximately 0.56 l/kg. Pregabalin is not bound to plasma proteins.



Biotransformation:



Pregabalin undergoes negligible metabolism in humans. Following a dose of radiolabelled pregabalin, approximately 98% of the radioactivity recovered in the urine was unchanged pregabalin. The N-methylated derivative of pregabalin, the major metabolite of pregabalin found in urine, accounted for 0.9% of the dose. In preclinical studies, there was no indication of racemisation of pregabalin S-enantiomer to the R-enantiomer.



Elimination:



Pregabalin is eliminated from the systemic circulation primarily by renal excretion as unchanged drug.



Pregabalin mean elimination half-life is 6.3 hours. Pregabalin plasma clearance and renal clearance are directly proportional to creatinine clearance (see section 5.2 Renal impairment).



Dose adjustment in patients with reduced renal function or undergoing haemodialysis is necessary (see Section 4.2 Table 1).



Linearity / non-linearity :



Pregabalin pharmacokinetics are linear over the recommended daily dose range. Inter-subject pharmacokinetic variability for pregabalin is low (<20%). Multiple dose pharmacokinetics are predictable from single-dose data. Therefore, there is no need for routine monitoring of plasma concentrations of pregabalin.



Pharmacokinetics in special patient groups



Gender



Clinical trials indicate that gender does not have a clinically significant influence on the plasma concentrations of pregabalin.



Renal impairment



Pregabalin clearance is directly proportional to creatinine clearance. In addition, pregabalin is effectively removed from plasma by haemodialysis (following a 4 hour haemodialysis treatment plasma pregabalin concentrations are reduced by approximately 50%). Because renal elimination is the major elimination pathway, dose reduction in patients with renal impairment and dose supplementation following haemodialysis is necessary (see section 4.2 Table 1).



Hepatic impairment



No specific pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in patients with impaired liver function. Since pregabalin does not undergo significant metabolism and is excreted predominantly as unchanged drug in the urine, impaired liver function would not be expected to significantly alter pregabalin plasma concentrations.



Elderly (over 65 years of age)



Pregabalin clearance tends to decrease with increasing age. This decrease in pregabalin oral clearance is consistent with decreases in creatinine clearance associated with increasing age. Reduction of pregabalin dose may be required in patients who have age related compromised renal function (see section 4.2 Table 1).



5.3 Preclinical Safety Data



In conventional safety pharmacology studies in animals, pregabalin was well-tolerated at clinically relevant doses. In repeated dose toxicity studies in rats and monkeys CNS effects were observed, including hypoactivity, hyperactivity and ataxia. An increased incidence of retinal atrophy commonly observed in aged albino rats was seen after long term exposure to pregabalin at exposures



Pregabalin was not teratogenic in mice, rats or rabbits. Foetal toxicity in rats and rab

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