Centre tightens control on Pregabalin amid rising abuse among youth

NEW DELHI: Amid rising reports of young people misusing Pregabalin for its sedative, euphoric and dissociative effects, the Centre has brought the widely prescribed pain and neurological drug under the stricter Schedule H1 category, tightening rules on its sale and prescription.The Union health ministry amended the Drugs Rules, 1945 through the Drugs (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 to include Pregabalin under Schedule H1. The final notification was issued on May 13 and published in the Gazette of India on May 20.The ministry said the decision followed reports from several states about abuse of Pregabalin, along with seizures of illegally stocked and unauthorisedly sold supplies in parts of the country.Pregabalin is prescribed for chronic pain, nerve-related disorders, fibromyalgia and certain neurological conditions. Officials, however, said the drug has increasingly been misused recreationally because of its calming and “high”-inducing effects.Dr Rajesh Sagar from the psychiatry department of AIIMS said Pregabalin misuse is emerging as a serious public health concern, especially among young people, because many users wrongly perceive it as a safe medicine rather than a substance with abuse potential.He said families should watch for warning signs such as unusual sleepiness, slurred speech, dizziness, behavioural changes, declining academic or work performance and mixing of the drug with alcohol or other sedatives. Dr Sagar added that bringing Pregabalin under Schedule H1 would help tighten prescription control and monitoring, but regulation alone would not be enough to curb misuse.The revised classification means the drug can now be sold only against a valid prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner. Pharmacies will also have to maintain a separate register recording prescription and sales details.The ministry said the move is aimed at preventing unauthorised access, strengthening prescription monitoring and curbing illegal trafficking.The amendment was made after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). Under the amended rules, Pregabalin has been inserted as serial number 51 under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, and the revised rules will come into force 180 days after publication in the Official Gazette.