Table 1.

Main characteristics based on the 258 NotS (spontaneous reports) of pregabalin use disorders collected by the French Addictovigilance Network from 2010 to 2019.

1	The dynamics of pregabalin problematic use phenomenon intensified in France from 2018 and still growing in 2019. Among the 258 collected NotS, 183 (70.9%) occurred in 2018 and 2019.
2	Subjects were mainly men (72.5%), young (median age of 24 years in 2019). An existing substance use disorder was documented in 54% patients, including subjects with no opioid use disorder, and one reported case confirmed the lack of any substance use disorder for this patient.
3	Pregabalin was preferentially misused by the oral route, at high dose [median daily dose at 900 mg (Q1: 450; Q3: 1,200)]; occasional intakes until (3.6 grams) and illegally obtained (false prescription forms and street market). Among desired non-therapeutic effects, euphoria ranked first cited by 28 (10.9%) individuals followed by research of high in 23 (8.9%) of them.
4	Pregabalin abuse frequently led to neurological (81.6%) and psychiatric (34.4%) complications alone or in combination. A convulsive episode and a cardiac serious complication (atrioventricular block) occurred with pregabalin alone.
5	Ninety patients (34.9%) presented criteria of pregabalin use disorder, whether the subjects used it to obtain therapeutic effects or not. Between 2018 and 2019, the proportion of individuals demanding for specialized addiction care have increased from 10.6 to 23.1%. Withdrawal strategies were instituted by health professionals (hospitalization, gradual tapering off, medication support).