Pregabalin: Your brand is changing to Lyrica
From July 2025, your brand will change from Pregabalin Pfizer to Lyrica.
On this page
14 November 2025 | All Pregabalin Pfizer depleted
Everyone should now have moved to Lyrica. A brand switch fee will apply from 1 March 2026 until 1 July 2026.
We will send a reminder closer to the time for the brand switch fee.
What's changing?
Pregabalin Pfizer capsules has been replaced with Lyrica capsules (the original brand of this medicine) as stock of the Pfizer capsules ran out. Lyrica has the same formulation, less one printing ink.
Lyrica is made at a different factory. This change helps make sure pregabalin remains available in New Zealand.
What's the same?
The new Lyrica capsules will look the same as Pregabalin Pfizer capsules, apart from removal of the word ‘Pfizer’. Lyrica has the same active and inactive ingredients in the same quantities as Pregabalin Pfizer. It will work in your body the same way.
You may be familiar with the Lyrica brand if you have been taking pregabalin for a while. Lyrica has been the funded brand before.
The capsule size and colour will remain the same.
Medsafe approved
The Lyrica capsules have the same formulation inside the capsule, the only change is to the printing on the outside. Medsafe has reviewed the changes and found that the Lyrica brand meets standards New Zealand standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness.
Data sheet for Lyrica | Medsafe website [PDF](external link)
Information for pharmacists
A brand switch fee will apply from 1 March 2026 until 1 July 2026. We realise that most patients will have changed before this date.
All Pfizer stock has now run out and everyone will need getting Lyrica.
| Strength | Pfizer Pharmacode | Lyrica Pharmacode |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mg | 2534053 | 2704498 |
| 75 mg | 2534088 | 2704501 |
| 150 mg | 2534096 | 2704528 |
| 300 mg | 2534118 | 2704536 |
We created a flier to support conversations with people affected by the change. Please reassure them that the formulation inside the capsules remains the same. The changes refer to the outside of the capsule.
- Pregabalin brand change - 2025 (2-page flier A5) [PDF 711 KB]
Who to contact
If you take pregabalin and have any questions, we recommend you first talk to a health care professional you trust, such as your pharmacist or doctor.
If you experience any issues with your medicine, you can contact Aspen (the supplier)(external link)
If you have any questions about the supply or funding of this product, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, Pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
Sign up to our email list for regular emails about supply issues and more(external link)