Epalrestat+pregabalin
About
Epalrestat+pregabalin belongs to a group of medications called 'anti-convulsants' primarily used in the prevention of neuropathic pain. It is also widely used to treat diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to diabetes). Neuropathic pain is a chronic progressive nerve disease that causes nerve pain due to nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. The pain could be intermittent or continuous, which is felt as a prickling, stabbing, tingling, or burning sensation.
Epalrestat+pregabalin is a combination of two drugs: Pregabalin (anti-convulsant) and Epalrestat (carboxylic acid derivative). Pregabalin works by changing the way in which nerves send messages to your brain. Epalrestat is an aldose reductase inhibitor. It blocks the accumulation of sorbitol in the nerve, which causes diabetic nerve disease by inhibiting aldose reductase. It relieves the symptoms of neuropathic pain include numbness and pain in the hands, feet, leg cramps, etc. Together, Epalrestat+pregabalin helps to treat neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage) especially treat nerve damage due to diabetes mellitus.
You are advised to take Epalrestat+pregabalin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as weight gain, somnolence (sleepiness/drowsiness), dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, urine discoloration, and thinking abnormal (primarily difficulty with concentration/attention). Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Please do not stop taking Epalrestat+pregabalin without consulting your doctor as it could cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not take Epalrestat+pregabalin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Epalrestat+pregabalin should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Epalrestat+pregabalin causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Epalrestat+pregabalin as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Epalrestat+pregabalin
Medicinal Benefits
Epalrestat+pregabalin is a combination of two drugs, namely; Pregabalin (anti-convulsant) and Epalrestat (carboxylic acid derivative). Pregabalin works by calming the damaged or overactive nerves in your body that may cause pain, thereby decreasing the number of pain signals sent out by damaged nerves in the body. Overall it reduces the pain from damaged or irritated nerves due to chronic conditions like, diabetes, trauma or epilepsy. Epalrestat works by inhibiting the aldose reductase enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of glucose to sorbitol and reduces the accumulation of sorbitol in the nerve. In diabetes (hyperglycemia) the accumulation of sorbitol in the nerve occurs and causes various diabetic complications like diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels of the eye due to diabetes), and diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease). Together, Epalrestat+pregabalin helps to treat neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage) and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) which is a common chronic complication in patients with diabetes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Epalrestat+pregabalin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Somnolence (sleepiness/drowsiness)
- Blurred vision
- Uncoordinated body movements
- Increased liver enzymes
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Epalrestat+pregabalin if you are known to be allergic to Epalrestat+pregabalin. Inform your doctor before taking Epalrestat+pregabalin if you have or had heart problems, bipolar syndrome, severe liver disease or porphyria and kidney impairments. Please do not stop taking Epalrestat+pregabalin without consulting your doctor as it could cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not take Epalrestat+pregabalin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Epalrestat+pregabalin should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Taking Epalrestat+pregabalin with opioids analgesics or painkillers can cause respiratory failure, coma and even leading to death, so avoid its intake together. If you have taken MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days, please do not take Epalrestat+pregabalin as intake of Epalrestat+pregabalin and MAO inhibitor together can cause life-threatening drug interaction. Epalrestat+pregabalin causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Epalrestat+pregabalin as it could lead to increased drowsiness and sleepiness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies such as killing or harming yourself. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Epalrestat+pregabalin may interact with a painkiller (morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, tramadol, codeine) and medicines used for treating anxiety (lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam).
Drug-Food Interaction: Epalrestat+pregabalin may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid consuming alcohol while taking Epalrestat+pregabalin as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have suicidal ideation or behavior, drug addiction, chronic pulmonary insufficiency, heart problems, liver/kidney impairment, inform your doctor before taking Epalrestat+pregabalin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unsafe to consume alcohol since it may worsen the side effects like dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionEpalrestat+pregabalin is a category C pregnancy drug. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Epalrestat+pregabalin.
Breast Feeding
cautionThe safe use of Epalrestat+pregabalin in breastfeeding mothers has not yet been established. So, it should be used in breastfeeding women only when prescribed by a doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Epalrestat+pregabalin.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness or drowsiness while using Epalrestat+pregabalin. Epalrestat+pregabalin can also sometimes cause blurry/double vision, hence avoid driving in such situations. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionTake Epalrestat+pregabalin with caution, especially if you have or had a history of liver disease/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Epalrestat+pregabalin with caution, especially if you have or had a history of kidney disease/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeEpalrestat+pregabalin is not recommended for children below the age of 18 years. The safety and efficacy of Epalrestat+pregabalin have not established. children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include food rich in vitamins B and D in your diet.
- Include cayenne pepper in your diet as it can help in lowering neuropathic pain.
- Exercising regularly helps in improving overall health and combating pain.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Try taking a warm bath as it can be soothing.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity, and improves coping skills.
- Acupuncture can be helpful by stimulating pressure points.
- Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation.
Special Advise
- People taking Epalrestat+pregabalin should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Speak with your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies such as killing or harming yourself.
- Using of Epalrestat+pregabalin may cause sleepiness or drowsiness, try to prevent driving, operating heavy machinery, and any work that requires concentration and attention.
- Your doctor may advise you to maintain a healthy diet as Epalrestat+pregabalin may cause weight gain.
- To prevent nerve damage due to diabetes mellitus, wear proper footwear and examine your feet every day to detect lesions early.
- Epalrestat in Epalrestat+pregabalin cause yellow-brown or red urine discolorations. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Epalrestat+pregabalin.
- Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Neuropathic pain: Neuropathic pain is caused due to damage to sensory nerves. It is caused by chronic progressive nerve disease, or due to infection or injury. The pain could be intermittent or continuous, which is felt as prickling, stabbing, tingling, or burning sensation. A feeling of numbness and loss of sensations is also common with neuropathic pain. Usually, the body sends the pain signals when there is an injury, but with neuropathic pain, the pain is not triggered by an injury, the body unpromptedly sends the pain signals. Symptoms include spontaneous, untriggered pain, unpleasant feeling, shooting, burning, or stabbing pain, difficulty resting or sleeping, and evoked pain (pain caused by events usually not painful). Diabetic neuropathy is a condition in which nerve damage occurs due to high blood glucose levels.
FAQs
Epalrestat+pregabalin contains Pregabalin and Epalrestat. Epalrestat+pregabalin is a combination of two drugs: Pregabalin (anti-convulsant) and Epalrestat (carboxylic acid derivative). Pregabalin works by changing the way in which nerves send messages to your brain. Epalrestat is an aldose reductase inhibitor. It blocks the accumulation of sorbitol in the nerve, which causes diabetic nerve disease by inhibiting aldose reductase. It relieves the symptoms of neuropathic pain include numbness and pain of the hands, feet, leg cramps, etc. Together, Epalrestat+pregabalin helps to treat neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage) especially treat nerve damage due to diabetes mellitus.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Epalrestat+pregabalin. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
No, you are not recommended to take Epalrestat+pregabalin with tramadol as co-administration of these medicines may cause breathing problems, drowsiness and even lead to a stage of coma. So, before using Epalrestat+pregabalin with pain killers like oxycodone or any other opioids analgesics, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dosage may be adjusted accordingly to use safely.
People taking Epalrestat+pregabalin should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts or behavior. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
Epalrestat+pregabalin is used to treat neuropathic pain due to diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a condition in which nerve damage occurs due to high blood glucose levels. It mostly damages the nerves in legs and feet.
Do not discontinue Epalrestat+pregabalin without consulting your doctor as it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. To treat your condition effectually continue taking Epalrestat+pregabalin for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Epalrestat+pregabalin, your doctor will reduce the dose gradually.
Yes, Epalrestat+pregabalin may cause weight gain because as it increases your hunger. However, regular physical exercise and a balanced diet with low-calorie food may help you keep your weight stable. Please consult the doctor if you have any further concerns to keep your weight stable.
