Pregabalin (Nervigesic) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and partial seizures.

For patients prescribed pregabalin, knowing how long it stays in the body can be important for managing side effects, timing doses, and preparing for drug testing.

In this blog, we offer a comprehensive look at pregabalin’s pharmacokinetics, including its half-life, detection timeline, and factors that affect its duration in your system.

Pharmacokinetic Profile Of Pregabalin

Absorption: Pregabalin capsules are absorbed in the small intestine and colon.

Distribution: Pregabalin spreads through the body easily.

Metabolism: Pregabalin is not broken down much by the liver and doesn’t affect the enzymes present there.

Excretion: Pregabalin is excreted through the kidneys [1].

Half-Life Of Pregabalin

The definition of half-life is the length of time required by a drug’s active substance to reduce by half [2].

Visit News Medical’s detailed guide on drug half-life to gain a more profound understanding.

Pregabalin has a relatively short half-life of between 5.5 and 6.7 hours in people with normal kidney function [3].

Since the half-life of Pregabalin is short, it is usually taken two to three times a day so patients maintain an adequate therapeutic dose.

How Long Does Pregabalin Stay In Your System?

It takes around five to six half-lives for most of a drug to be eliminated from your bloodstream, so Nervigesic pain medication will largely leave your blood within 27.5 to 40.2 hours.

However, Nervegesic may remain and can be detectable in hair, saliva, and urine for longer than it stays in the bloodstream [4].

How Long Does Pregabalin Take To Work?

Patients who take Pregabalin as prescribed ingest the capsules, which travel to the digestive system, where they are absorbed. After ingestion, Pregabalin reaches its peak concentration in the bloodstream in 0.7 to 1.3 hours [5].

Taking Pregabalin capsules with food decreases the absorption rate and delays peak concentrations and effects.

At clinical doses, Pregabalin doesn’t have much immediate effect. The effects of this medication don’t emerge until you’ve taken it for at least two days. Occasionally, this medication may take two to four weeks to show its effects.

Does Pregabalin Show Up In Drug Tests?

There are various tests that can detect the presence of Pregabalin in your system. These tests include:

Saliva testing

This type of testing for Pregabalin is uncommon but has been performed. Pregabalin is detectable in saliva for one to two days after the last dose.

Urine testing

The kidneys eliminate Pregabalin medication into the urine in its unchanged form. Specialized urine test strips are available on the market that can detect the presence of Pregabalin two to four days after its last use.

Blood testing

Blood testing for Pregabalin is common because it’s invasive, and the detection windows are shorter in these tests. Based on the drug’s life expectancy, it might be present in blood samples for one to two days after the last use.

Hair testing

Pregabalin can be detected in hair follicles for a longer duration than urine and blood tests. Hair testing can reveal Pregabalin use for several months (90 days).

What Are The Factors Affecting How Long Pregabalin Stays In Your System?

Every individual processes medications slightly differently, and the length of time Pregabalin remains in and is detectable in your system may vary, which is influenced by factors like [6]:

Dosage of Pregabalin

For most medical conditions, Pregabalin is often prescribed in the dosing range of 150 mg to 300 mg daily, typically divided into 2 or 3 doses. The greater your dose of Pregabalin, the slower it will likely get out of your system.

If you want to know about Pregabalin dosage for managing all its approved conditions, check out the drug’s detailed Pregabalin Dosage Guide.

Kidney function

As mentioned, Pregabalin undergoes hepatic metabolism and is primarily excreted by the kidneys; therefore, optimal kidney function is essential to excrete the unchanged drug efficiently.

The greater the extent to which you experience kidney issues, the longer you can expect Pregabalin to linger within your system after your last dose.

Age

Older adults experience slower clearance of Pregabalin due to age-related declines in kidney and liver function.

Hydration

Whether you’re hydrated sufficiently after taking Pregabalin could affect how quickly the drug is excreted from your system. Hydration is known to impact an individual’s urinary flow rate, which is thought to alter the excretion speed of the potent Pregabalin capsule. Therefore, staying hydrated after taking Pregabalin is associated with fast clearance and excretion of this medication.

How To Get Pregabalin Out of Your System?

Below are some ways to get Pregabalin out of your system fast.

Discontinue: If you want Pregabalin to leave your system, you’ll need to discontinue treatment entirely. This medicine should be discontinued under the supervision of your doctor. The sooner you stop taking the medication, the quicker it will be cleared from your body.

Activated charcoal: After stopping Pregabalin, you can also take an activated charcoal supplement to help detoxify your system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pregabalin serves as a valuable treatment option for all its medical uses. Awareness of its pharmacokinetics and how long it stays in the body can help people accurately navigate its presence in their bodies.

If you’re planning to discontinue Pregabalin use or are concerned about drug testing, it’s essential to speak to a doctor.