Lyrica (Pregabalin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lyrica Used For?
Lyrica contains pregabalin and belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. These medicines work by controlling brain chemicals that send signals to nerves, preventing seizures and providing pain relief.
Primary Uses
Lyrica is used to treat neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by nerve damage or abnormalities. It’s also used to control epilepsy, a condition where you have repeated seizures (fits). There are many different types of seizures, ranging from mild to severe.
How It Works
Lyrica works by controlling brain chemicals that send signals to nerves, preventing seizures from happening. It also has pain-relieving effects for nerve-related pain.
Good to know: Lyrica may be used alone or combined with other medicines to treat your condition. Your doctor may add it to your current therapy when your current treatment isn’t working as well as before.
How to Take Lyrica
Follow all directions given by your doctor carefully. Your doctor will determine the right dose based on your age, condition, and other medicines you’re taking.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose range is 150 mg per day to 600 mg per day given in two divided doses. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water. Take your medicine at about the same time each day for best effect. It doesn’t matter if you take it before or after food. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and slowly increase it to find the lowest amount needed to control your condition.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If you’re not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dizziness
- Feeling tired or drowsy
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Unsteadiness when walking
- Reduced coordination
- Shaking or tremors
- Dry mouth
- Blurred or double vision
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior
- Signs of new or increased irritability or agitation
- Signs of depression
- Confusion
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Breast enlargement
- Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness and weakness
- Passing little to no urine
- Trouble breathing or shallow breaths
- Shortness of breath
- Irritated red eyes sensitive to light
- More frequent or severe seizures
- Serious skin reactions with rashes, blisters, and peeling
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Lyrica. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications.
Who Should Not Take Lyrica
Don’t use Lyrica if you’re allergic to pregabalin or any ingredients in the medicine. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash and hives. Don’t use if the medicine has expired or packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to other medicines (especially barbiturates or anticonvulsants), congestive heart failure, hereditary problems with galactose metabolism, kidney problems, diabetes, depression, or a history of drug abuse. Lyrica poses risks of misuse, abuse, and dependence.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Lyrica is not recommended during pregnancy. Using pregabalin in the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause birth defects requiring medical treatment. In studies, 6 babies in every 100 had birth defects compared to 4 in every 100 from untreated mothers. Defects can affect the face, eyes, nervous system, kidneys, and genitals. Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception. Lyrica passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine.
Abuse and Dependence Risk: Lyrica poses risks of misuse, abuse and dependence. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse. Your body may become physically dependent, causing withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Lyrica or affect how well it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
Dangerous Combination: Using Lyrica with medicines that cause drowsiness (sleeping tablets, pain relievers, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabis) and alcohol may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
- Sleeping tablets
- Pain relievers (benzodiazepines and opioids)
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Cannabis
- Alcohol
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with alcohol and driving while taking Lyrica, as it can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Lyrica. Alcohol can make symptoms like dizziness and drowsiness worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Lyrica affects you. Like other anticonvulsant medicines, Lyrica may cause dizziness and drowsiness in some people. If you have these symptoms, don’t drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep Lyrica capsules in the original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Lyrica, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include mood changes, feeling tired, confusion, depression, agitation, restlessness, or seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue taking Lyrica for as long as your doctor tells you. This medicine helps control your condition but doesn’t cure it. It’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well, as it helps prevent seizures and manage nerve pain.
No, don’t stop taking Lyrica or lower the dose without checking with your doctor first. Stopping suddenly may worsen your condition or cause withdrawal symptoms like sleeplessness, headache, nausea, anxiety, excessive sweating, or diarrhea. Your doctor will slowly reduce your dose if you need to stop.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Lyrica before or after food. Take it at about the same time each day for the best effect and to help you remember.
Tell your doctor if you have heart failure, kidney problems, diabetes, depression, or a history of drug abuse. Also mention if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as Lyrica can cause birth defects and passes into breast milk.
Yes, weight gain is a common side effect of Lyrica. Tell your doctor if this side effect worries you.
Yes, Lyrica poses risks of misuse, abuse, and dependence. Your body may become physically dependent, which means you could experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly. This is why it’s important to follow your doctor’s directions exactly.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any changes in your vision. Lyrica may cause blurring or other changes in eyesight, and your doctor may ask you to stop taking it to improve these symptoms.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.