Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Pregabalin

What it is

Pregabalin is a gabapentinoid: it binds the alpha-2-delta subunit of calcium channels in nerve cells and reduces the release of excitatory messengers. It is used for nerve pain (from diabetes, shingles or spinal cord injury), fibromyalgia, focal seizures and, in Europe, generalised anxiety disorder. It is sold as Lyrica, among other names.

How genes come into it

Pregabalin is not broken down; the kidneys clear it unchanged, so drug-processing genes play no part. It crosses into the brain through the amino acid transporter LAT1, and studies looked at SLC7A5, the gene for LAT1, and at COMT for response. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Pregabalin. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (2 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

SLC7A5 rs4240803: Level 3. Toxicity: adverse events, Neuropathic pain. 1.

SLC7A5 rs4240803: Level 3. Efficacy: Neuropathic pain. 1.

Metabolism (1 finding)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

NAT2 NAT2 slow acetylator: NAT2 slow acetylator is associated with increased exposure to pregabalin in healthy individuals as compared to NAT2 intermediate acetylator and rapid acetylator.

Response (3 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

SLC7A5 rs4240803: Genotype AG is associated with decreased response to gabapentin or pregabalin in people with neuropathic pain as compared to genotype GG.

COMT COMT low activity: COMT low activity is associated with decreased clinical benefit to acetaminophen, duloxetine, ibuprofen, oxycodone and pregabalin in women with Fibromyalgia and Low Back Pain.

CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*4: CYP2D6 *1/*4 (assigned as intermediate metabolizer phenotype) is associated with decreased clinical benefit to acetaminophen, duloxetine, ibuprofen, oxycodone and pregabalin in women with Fibromyalgia and Low Back Pain.

Dosing (1 finding)

Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.

SLC7A5 rs4240803: Allele A is not associated with dose of pregabalin in people with neuropathic pain as compared to allele G.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Neurontin (Gabapentinoids)

Abilify (Antipsychotics)

Adderall (Stimulants)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

Back to Medications

Content updated September 2026.

ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.

Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026

Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com