The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have issued a safety update highlighting that women should use effective contraception if taking pregabalin and that it should not be prescribed to pregnant women unless the benefits to the mother clearly outweigh the potential risks to their unborn child.
This safety update has been triggered by research that found an increased risk of major congenital malformations when pregabalin is used in pregnancy.
Pregabalin is most commonly used for the treatment of neuropathic pain, but also as an adjunctive therapy for partial seizures, and occasionally (off-label) for generalised anxiety disorder and restless legs syndrome.
For further information refer to the TGA safety update.