title: Use of Pregabalin - A Nationwide Pharmacoepidemiological Drug Utilization Study with Focus on Abuse Potential.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregabalin is currently approved for the treatment of epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder and neuropathic pain with a licensed dosage range of 150 mg to 600 mg/day. Growing concern about the abuse potential of pregabalin is partly based on reports of pregabalin being used in dosages that exceed the approved therapeutic range.
  
  
  METHODS
  To identify predictors of pregabalin use above recommended dosage, we conducted a pharmacoepidemological drug utilization study using the Danish nationwide registers. We deployed 4 measures of abuse: high use (≥600 mg/day) or very high use (≥1 200 mg/day) over a 6- or 12-month period, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify patient and treatment characteristics that were associated with either abuse marker.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 42 520 pregabalin users 4 090 (9.6%) were treated with more than 600 mg/day for 6 months and 2 765 (6.5%) for more than 12 months. Male gender and prescription of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines were associated with increased risk of use of above the recommended dosage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of pregabalin above recommended dosages was rare but abuse may occur in susceptible patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schjerning
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pottegård
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damkier
authors.affiliation: Danish Medicines Authority, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenzweig
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000069583:Pregabalin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000069583:Pregabalin