Pregabalin
Anticonvulsant / neuropathic analgesic (gabapentinoid)
Brand names: Lyrica
Oral health effects
Xerostomia
Dry mouth is among the more common side effects.
Clinical management: Hydration, salivary support, caries prevention.
Swelling of the lips, tongue or gums (angioedema, rare)
Angioedema affecting the lips, tongue, gums or throat can occur after the first dose or at any time (label warning).
Clinical management: Ask about previous facial or oral swelling. Acute swelling of the tongue or throat is an emergency; call emergency services and manage the airway. Patients on ACE inhibitors may be at higher risk.
Sources
- A Guide to Medications Inducing Salivary Gland Dysfunction, Xerostomia, and Subjective Sialorrhea: A Systematic Review Sponsored by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI. Wolff A, Joshi RK, Ekström J, et al. Drugs in R&D, 2017.
- Pregabalin prescribing information (FDA label) Solco Healthcare US, LLC / DailyMed, 2026.
- Adverse drug events in the oral cavity. Yuan A, Woo SB. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2015.