Abstract
Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative that was commercially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004. It is commonly used in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and spinal cord injury. We present the case of a 36-year-old Caucasian male double lung transplant recipient who presented with an 18-month history of fatigue and muscle weakness. He had elevated creatinine kinase level and his muscle biopsy showed evidence of drug-induced myopathy that improved after the cessation of pregabalin. We present a case of drug-induced myopathy as a rare complication of pregabalin therapy in a double lung transplant recipient.
Highlights
Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative that was commercially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004
We present the case of a 36-year-old Caucasian male double lung transplant recipient who presented with an 18-month history of fatigue and muscle weakness
We present a case of drug-induced myopathy as a rare complication of pregabalin therapy in a double lung transplant recipient
Summary
Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative that was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 in the treatment of neuropathic pain [1] and has since emerged as a popular drug used in the management of diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and spinal cord injury and as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia and partial-onset seizures. The patient had a double lung transplant three years prior to the start of the muscle weakness He had excellent exercise performance from a few months post-transplant, riding a road bike regularly and even participating in the Transplant Olympics. A few months after this episode of rejection, he developed some peripheral neuropathy symptoms, and therapy with pregabalin at a dose of 100 mg twice daily was initiated. Weakness started within two months after pregabalin therapy was initiated and slowly progressed He was no longer able to ride a bike and had difficulty rising from a squatted position, or standing up from a chair. The patient noted a dramatic improvement in muscle weakness over the few weeks and the creatinine kinase levels improved from 1023 U/L to 256 U/L (normal range: 49-320 U/L) within a month time period. Within 3 months, the patient was able to walk on the treadmill for a half-hour and ride his bike again
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