As a follow-up to its g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist gabapentin, Pfizer has developed and launched pregabalin for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Although pregabalin is a structural analog of GABA, it does not interact with GABA-A or GABA-B receptors or influence GABA uptake. The exact mechanism of action is unclear, but pregabalin may reduce excitatory neurotransmitter release by binding to the α2-δ protein subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. The resulting inhibition of excess neuronal activity is believed to be the basis for pregabalin’s efficacy in epilepsy and neuropathic pain alleviation. Since the activity is attributed to the (S′)-enantiomer alone, an efficient asymmetric synthesis is employed for commercial production. The key step is the asymmetric hydrogenation of 3-cyano-5-methyl-3-hexenoic acid using a chiral rhodium catalyst to afford an intermediate that is enriched in the (S′)-enantiomer. The cyano group is ultimately reduced by routine hydrogenation with a nickel catalyst. Further enrichment of the final product is realized by selective recrystallization with (S′)-mandelic acid or simply recrystallizing from water/isopropanol. Compared to gabapentin, pregabalin is 2- to 10-fold more potent in various animal models.

Anticonvulsant and antiepileptic; also used to treat neuropathic pain. Binds with high affinity and selectivity to the α₂δ subunit of voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels and modulates their activity. Displays anxiolytic-like activity in ethological and conflict models of anxiety. Analog of GABA 

Pregabalin is a new antiepileptic drug, having a γ-amino butyric acid structure on its molecular structure, which has anticonvulsant effects, and is successfully developed by the company Pfizer for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, or adjuvant treatment of partial seizures.
In December 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pregabalin (trade name "Lyrica") for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPN) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)which are Both the most common neuropathic pains.
Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult chronic pain syndromes to treat , dull pain, burning, tingling as the main feature, there are a lot of incentives of neuralgia, diabetes, infections (such as herpes zoster), cancer and AIDS, etc. can cause neurological pain, in Europe about 3% of the population suffer from neuralgia torture.
The above information is edited by the chemicalbook of Tian Ye.

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug used for neuropathic pain, as an adjunct therapy for partial seizures, and in generalized anxiety disorder. It was designed as a more potent successor to gabapentin. Pregabalin is marketed by Pfizer under the trade nam