euphoria with non-narcotic

Q: which of the following drug is more prone to induce euphoria? 

A) Gabapentin 
B) Pregabalin 


Answer: B

As there is a high sense of use of non-narcotics in ICU, gabapentin and pregabalin has become front line drugs in multi-model pain managements. But both of these drugs come with its own side-effects. Pregabalin is a lipophilic gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog to facilitate diffusion across the blood-brain barrier. It provides analgesia quicker than gabapentin. On the same note, it has become a drug of abuse as it provides a sense of euphoria. This particular side effect has made this drug classified as a controlled substance in the United States.

#toxicology
#pharmacology


References:

1. Gahr M, Franke B, Freudenmann RW, Kölle MA, Schönfeldt-Lecuona C. Concerns about pregabalin: Further experience with its potential of causing addictive behaviors. J Addict Med. 2013;7:147–9. 

2. Feng MR, Turluck D, Burleigh J, et al. Brain microdialysis and PK/PD correlation of pregabalin in rats. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2001; 26:123.