Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant used to relieve neuropathic pain and is used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures. It works by decreasing the number of pain signals that are sent out by damaged nerves in the body. The combination of pregabalin and medication used to treat depression was tested for its effect on cancer-related pain.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding the use of gabapentin or pregabalin and serious breathing difficulties in people with respiratory risk factors, including older adults, those having conditions that reduce lung function such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and those using drugs that depress the central nervous system including opioids, anti-anxiety medication, antidepressants, and antihistamines.