Addressing the unanswered questions: a qualitative exploration focusing on community dwellers using pregabalin without prescription in Islamabad city, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Pregabalin's non-medical use is frequently reported in the literature. However, knowledge related to this non-medical use is scarce, especially from community dwellers of a developing nation. Lacking baseline information, the current study qualitatively explored the motives and reasons for non-medical use of pregabalin among the general population of Islamabad city, Pakistan. METHODS: By adopting the phenomenological approach, a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Community dwellers approaching pharmacies and purchasing pregabalin without a prescription were approached for face-to-face, in-depth interviews. The interviews were audio-taped, individually transcribed (verbatim), and were then analysed for thematic contents by the standard content analysis framework. RESULTS: Most of the participants (10, 66.6%) were in the 18-27 age group. All participants were male and most of them worked in the private sector Islamabad city. Thematic content analysis resulted in five major themes and five subthemes. Peers at the workplace were identified as a major source of information regarding pregabalin use. Being lethargic, easing physical exertion and poor work-life balance were the reasons for pregabalin use among the study respondents. Intriguingly, pregabalin was also reported as a performance enhancer by some of the participants. The participants had no information on clinical use of pregabalin and most of them had the opinion that the drug is safe to use and has no side effects. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the non-medical use of pregabalin in Islamabad, driven by challenges like difficult living conditions, work-related fatigue, fear of the future, and work-life balance. The findings emphasize the need for public awareness campaigns, rigorous regulations on pregabalin sales, and accessible support for those individuals involved in non-medical use of pregabalin.