Pregabalin use disorder and secondary nicotine dependence in a woman with no substance abuse history

Abstract

This is an addictovigilance report of a pregabalin use disorder case in a young female patient who secondarily presented a tobacco use disorder after smoking initiation combined with pregabalin intake. Pregabalin was first prescribed for anxiety. Concomitant use of pregabalin with tobacco led to a synergic effect of both substances. She presented a craving behavior for pregabalin, with a tolerance phenomenon and a withdrawal syndrome between pregabaline intakes. The patient had a history of depressive disorder, personality disorder and anorexia, but never had any history of substance use disorder. This case report is noteworthy for 3 reasons: 1: this is one of the first report of pregabalin use disorder in a patient without any substance abuse disorder (licit or illicit), with the exception of a personal vulnerability factors to substance abuse; 2: the patient presented characteristics of pregabalin use disorder at usual dose (below 300mg per day), with drug-seeking behavior, tolerance phenomenon and intense craving with these moderate doses; 3: concomitant use of pregabalin with tobacco led to a synergic effect of both substances.