Abruptly Stopping Pregabalin 25mg
Pregabalin 25mg should not be stopped abruptly but should be tapered gradually over at least one week to minimize withdrawal symptoms. 1
Risks of Abrupt Discontinuation
Abruptly stopping pregabalin, even at a low dose of 25mg, can lead to withdrawal symptoms including:
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Hyperhidrosis (increased sweating)
- Diarrhea
The FDA drug label specifically warns against abrupt discontinuation, stating: "If pregabalin is discontinued, taper the drug gradually over a minimum of 1 week rather than discontinue the drug abruptly." 1
Recommended Tapering Approach
Even though 25mg is a low dose (the therapeutic range is typically 150-600mg daily), a gradual taper is still recommended:
- Reduce to 25mg every other day for 4-7 days
- Then discontinue completely
Special Considerations
Low Dose Factor: While 25mg is at the lower end of the dosing spectrum (much lower than the typical therapeutic doses of 150-600mg daily), withdrawal symptoms can still occur 2
Duration of Treatment: If you've been taking pregabalin for only a short period (less than 2 weeks), the risk of withdrawal symptoms is lower, but tapering is still preferred
Individual Risk Factors: Patients with a history of substance use disorders should be particularly careful about abrupt discontinuation, as pregabalin has abuse potential 3, 4
Warning Signs to Monitor
If you do experience withdrawal symptoms after reducing or stopping pregabalin, contact your healthcare provider immediately. In rare cases, more serious adverse effects have been reported with pregabalin discontinuation, including:
- Seizures (especially in patients with epilepsy)
- Severe anxiety
- Confusion
Alternative Approaches
If you need to stop pregabalin due to side effects or lack of efficacy, discuss with your healthcare provider about:
- Alternative medications for your condition (depending on what pregabalin was prescribed for)
- Non-pharmacological approaches to manage your symptoms
Remember that even at low doses, medications that affect the central nervous system should be discontinued carefully to minimize adverse effects on your health and quality of life.