Myoclonus Developing After High-Dose Pregabalin Intake: A Rare Clinical Case

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 4, 134 - 136, 31.12.2025

Okşan Derinöz-güleryüz

Öz

Introduction: Pregabalin has become a widely prescribed drug worldwide in recent years. There has been an increase in its accidental, suicidal, and even abusive use. It induces anxiolytic, sedative, or euphoric effects when taken together with substances such as alcohol. Although it has many side effects, it may also cause neurological side effects. Here, a 17-year-old male patient who had myoclonic seizures after taking high doses of pregabalin with alcohol without any known additional drug intake is presented because it is a rare clinical finding.

Case Report: A 17-year-old male patient was brought to the emergency department due to a fall after drinking alcohol. His triage vital signs were stable. GCS was 15. In the 30th minute of his emergency, the patient had myoclonic jerks in his arms and legs, and their frequency began to increase. The patient's history was questioned again. His brother stated that the patient may have taken pregabalin. The patient stated that he had taken seven pregabalin pills (1 pill = 300 mg) with alcohol.
In laboratory tests, there was no pathology other than respiratory acidosis. COHb: 7.2, Lactate: 7. Blood ethanol level was 10 mg/dL. Cranial and cervical tomography were normal. Serum pregabalin level was determined as 300 mg/L by the LC-MSMS method in the reference hospital. Other toxic analyses were negative. The patient was discharged after one day of supportive treatment.

Conclusion: Alcohol and high-dose pregabalin intake may rarely lead to the development of neurological side effects such as myoclonus. Given the increasing prescription rates, pregabalin poisoning and related clinical findings will be frequently seen in emergency departments. Therefore, especially in cases with alcohol consumption, additional medication intake should be questioned, pregabalin exposure should be considered, and appropriate management strategies should be implemented.

Anahtar Kelimeler

alkol , pregabalin , myoklonus

Myoclonus Developing After High-Dose Pregabalin Intake: A Rare Clinical Case

Öz

Abstract:

Introduction: Pregabalin has become a widely prescribed drug worldwide in recent years. There has been an increase in its accidental, suicidal, and even abusive use. It induces anxiolytic, sedative, or euphoric effects when taken together with substances such as alcohol. Although it has many side effects, it may also cause neurological side effects. Here, a 17-year-old male patient who had myoclonic seizures after taking high doses of pregabalin with alcohol without any known additional drug intake is presented because it is a rare clinical finding.

Case Report: A 17-year-old male patient was brought to the emergency department due to a fall after drinking alcohol. His triage vital signs were stable. GCS was 15. In the 30th minute of his emergency, the patient had myoclonic jerks in his arms and legs, and their frequency began to increase. The patient's history was questioned again. His brother stated that the patient may have taken pregabalin. The patient stated that he had taken seven pregabalin pills (1 pill = 300 mg) with alcohol.
In laboratory tests, there was no pathology other than respiratory acidosis. COHb: 7.2, Lactate: 7. Blood ethanol level was 10 mg/dL. Cranial and cervical tomography were normal. Serum pregabalin level was determined as 300 mg/L by the LC-MSMS method in the reference hospital. Other toxic analyses were negative. The patient was discharged after one day of supportive treatment.

Conclusion: Alcohol and high-dose pregabalin intake may rarely lead to the development of neurological side effects such as myoclonus. Given the increasing prescription rates, pregabalin poisoning and related clinical findings will be frequently seen in emergency departments. Therefore, especially in cases with alcohol consumption, additional medication intake should be questioned, pregabalin exposure should be considered, and appropriate management strategies should be implemented.

Anahtar Kelimeler

alcohol , pregabalin , myoclonus

Kaynakça

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