Can You Take Duloxetine And Pregabalin Together?( 3 Risks)

By Ivan Kahwa

Page last updated: 05/02/2024 | Next review date: 05/02/2026

Author bio

Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.

Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:

Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Professional Experience:

Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.

With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.

Education:

2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Publications:

▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7

▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60

▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.

https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683

▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.

https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004

▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2

▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.

https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600

Published book Chapter

▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4

Submitted manuscripts Under Review:

▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience

▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine

▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Submitted book chapters under review

1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.

2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press

You can view my works on the following professional sites:

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437

Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159

Ivan Kahwa

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In this article, we will discuss if we can duloxetine and pregabalin together. We will explore the benefits of taking duloxetine and pregabalin together and take a look at the research studies. We will also discuss common side effects and potential risks associated with their concomitant use.

Can you take duloxetine and pregabalin together?

Yes, duloxetine and pregabalin can be taken together if your doctor has prescribed this drug combination. Duloxetine and pregabalin are often prescribed together to treat neuropathic pain.

Duloxetine is an antidepressant that belongs to the class of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). They mainly function by inhibiting the reuptake of two excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine, which help alleviate the symptoms of various illnesses (1).

On the other hand, pregabalin is an antiepileptic drug. It acts by inhibiting your brain’s voltage-gated calcium channels, which release a variety of excitatory neurotransmitters.

Seizures are brought on by an overabundance of these neurotransmitters, which raises the electrical activity in your brain and produces neuronal firing. Pregabalin decreases the frequency and intensity of your convulsions by blocking this entire process (2).

The concomitant use of both medications is quite effective and they should be used as directed by the doctor.

What are the benefits of taking duloxetine and pregabalin together?

When used in combination, duloxetine and pregabalin can effectively treat severe neuropathic pain. Additionally, this drug combination is effective in treating fibromyalgia, a condition marked by extreme fatigue, sleepiness, mood swings, muscle pain and soreness (3).

Combination therapy offers the benefit of allowing you to use lower doses of each drug to get your desired results with fewer side effects as compared to raising the dosage of a single medication.

People with neurological and mood-related conditions can benefit considerably from the combination of pregabalin and duloxetine. Pregabalin is often taken together with other antidepressants such as Fluoxetine.

When you suffer from illnesses like major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, this drug combination improves your emotional well-being and helps you feel happier and less depressed or anxious.

What does research suggest?

In a randomized controlled study, 41 fibromyalgia patients were involved. Clinical research findings indicated that pregabalin and duloxetine together safely improve overall quality of life, pain management, and physical function in fibromyalgia patients (4).

Research studies indicate that duloxetine, when combined with pregabalin, lowers pain by altering serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the nervous system. As a result, there are fewer pain signals transmitted from damaged neurons to the brain and vice versa (5).

Pregabalin works additionally by preventing your spinal column’s pain receptors from functioning. It efficiently reduces the sensation of pain by blocking pain signals.

What are the side effects of taking duloxetine and pregabalin together?

The concomitant use of duloxetine and pregabalin is associated with some side effects. Some of the side effects are:

Nausea
Constipation
Drowsiness
Headache
Dry mouth
Increased sweating
Changes in appetite
Blurred vision
Difficulty in sleeping

The above-given side effects are common and may not be experienced by every person.

Some of these side effects resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the drug, however, if they persist or interfere with your everyday activities, a healthcare provider should be consulted.

What are the risks of combining duloxetine and pregabalin?

In addition to benefits, concurrent use of duloxetine and pregabalin can entail certain risks because of drug-drug interactions. An unusually low blood salt level, or hyponatremia, is an uncommon side effect of duloxetine medication.

When certain anticonvulsants, including pregabalin, are used in combination, the risk increases. Taking duloxetine and pregabalin concurrently may exacerbate anticonvulsants’ negative effects on the central nervous system, including sleepiness and reduced motor and cognitive performance.

Duloxetine, by lowering the seizure threshold in susceptible individuals, can trigger seizures and reduce the effectiveness of anticonvulsant drugs such as pregabalin (6).

What precautions should be taken when taking pregabalin with duloxetine?

When you take pregabalin and duloxetine together, the drug regimen prescribed by the doctor should be followed. Do not make any changes to the dose without consulting the doctor.

If you experience any side effects after taking the drugs, consult a healthcare professional. They can guide you on how to safely and effectively manage the negative effects of the medications.

It is recommended to avoid alcohol when taking pregabalin and duloxetine together, as alcohol can increase the likelihood of side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking duloxetine and pregabalin together.

In this article, we have discussed that duloxetine and pregabalin can be taken together as they are frequently prescribed for the treatment of fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain.

The concomitant use of these drugs is beneficial, however, there are also some risks associated with it. In my opinion, before using any medication concomitantly, a doctor should be consulted.

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References

1.-

Thornton P. Duloxetine: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Warnings [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2022 [cited 2023 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/duloxetine.html

2.-

Pope C. Pregabalin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings – Drugs.com. [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2023 [cited 2023 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/pregabalin.html

3.-

Shirole T. Combining Pregabalin With Duloxetine Helps Treat Fibromyalgia Effectively [Internet]. Medindia. 2016 [cited 2023 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.medindia.net/news/combining-pregabalin-with-duloxetine-helps-treat-fibromyalgia-effectively-161707-1.htm

4.-

Gilron I, Chaparro LE, Tu D, Holden RR, Milev R, Towheed T, Dumerton-Shore D, Walker S. Combination of pregabalin with duloxetine for fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Pain. 2016 Jul 1;157(7):1532-40. https://journals.lww.com/pain/abstract/2016/07000/combination_of_pregabalin_with_duloxetine_for.20.aspx

5.-

Onuţu AH. Duloxetine, an antidepressant with analgesic properties–a preliminary analysis. Romanian Journal of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 2015 Oct;22(2):123. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5505372/

6.-

Interactions for Cymbalta and Lyrica [Internet]. Medicine.com. [cited 2023 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.medicine.com/interaction-checker/result?drugs=cymbalta+lyrica&pro=1

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Can you take duloxetine and pregabalin together?( 3 risks)