Lyrica (pregabalin) Side Effects (Weight Gain), Uses & Dosage

What is Lyrica (pregabalin)?

Lyrica (pregabalin) is an oral medication that is chemically
related to
gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin). It is used for treating pain caused by
neurologic diseases such as

postherpetic neuralgia as well as seizures. It also is used for treating
fibromyalgia.

Is Lyrica (pregabalin) available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for Lyrica (pregabalin)?

Yes

Why is Lyrica (pregabalin) prescribed to patients?

Lyrica is used for:

• Neuropathic pain associated with
  diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic
  neuralgia

• Spinal cord injury

• In
  combination with other
  drugs to treat partial onset
  seizures
  in adults
• Treating
  fibromyalgia

What are the side effects of Lyrica (pregabalin)?

SIDE EFFECTS WARNING:

• Antiepileptic medications have been associated with increased risk of
  suicidal thinking and behavior. Anyone considering the use of antiepileptic
  drugs must balance this risk of
  suicide with the
  clinical need. Patients who are started on therapy should be closely observed
  for clinical worsening,
  suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior.

SIDE EFFECTS:

The most common side effects of Lyrica are

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• dry mouth
  (xerostomia),
• edema (accumulation of fluid),
• blurred vision,
• double vision (diplopia),
• weight gain,
• fatigue (tiredness),
• abnormal gait (ataxia),
• tremor, and
• difficulty concentrating.

Other side effects include

• constipation,
• increased appetite,
• nausea,
• flatulence,
• amnesia,
• disorientation,
• myoclonus (sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or muscle groups),
• heart failure,
• low blood pressure,
• vomiting,
• reduced blood platelet counts, and
• increased blood creatinine kinase levels.

Increased creatinine kinase can be a sign of muscle injury, and in
clinical trials
three patients experienced
rhabdomyolysis
(severe muscle injury). Therefore, patients should report unexplained
muscle pain,
tenderness or
weakness to their doctors, especially if associated with
fever and
malaise (reduced well-being). Lyrica has rarely been associated with
angioedema (swelling of the face, tongue, lips, and gums, throat and larynx).

What characterizes fibromyalgia?
See Answer

What is the dosage for Lyrica (pregabalin)?

• Lyrica may be taken with or without food.
• Treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy: The initial dose for
  neuropathic pain associated with
  diabetic peripheral neuropathy is 50 mg three
  times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to a maximum dose of 100 mg
  3 times daily (300 mg/day) after one week.
• Treating postherpetic neuralgia: The recommended dose for postherpetic neuralgia is 75-150 mg twice daily or
  50-100 mg three times daily. Dosing should begin at 75 mg two times a day or 50
  mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 100 mg 3 times
  daily (300 mg/day) after one week. If pain relief is inadequate after 2-4 weeks
  of treatment at 300 mg/day, the dose may be increased to 300 mg twice daily or
  200 mg three times daily. Doses greater than 300 mg cause more side effects.
• Treating neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury: The dose for treating neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury is
  150 to 600 mg daily. Begin dosing at 75 mg two times a day an increase to 150 mg
  two times daily after one week if response is inadequate. May increase to 300 mg
  twice daily if response is inadequate after 2 to 3 weeks.
• Treating seizures: The recommended dose for treating seizures is 150-600 mg/day divided into 2
  or 3 doses, starting at 150 mg daily and increasing based on response and
  tolerability. The maximum dose is 600 mg/day.
• Treating fibromyalgia:

  Fibromyalgia is treated with 300-450 mg/day in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Which drugs or supplements interact with Lyrica (pregabalin)?

• Alcohol and drugs that cause sedation may increase the sedative effects of pregabalin.
• Pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) cause weight gain, fluid retention, and possibly heart failure. Therefore, combining pregabalin with these drugs may increase the occurrence of weight gain and fluid retention.

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Is Lyrica (pregabalin) safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

• There are no adequate studies of Lyrica in
  pregnant women.
• It is not known whether Lyrica is excreted in breast milk.

What else should I know about Lyrica (pregabalin)?

What preparations of Lyrica (pregabalin) are available?

• Capsules: 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 225, and 300 mg.
• Oral
  Solution: 20 mg/ml

How should I keep Lyrica (pregabalin) stored?

• Pregabalin should be stored at room temperature, from 15 C to 30 C
  (59 F to 86 F).

How does Lyrica (pregabalin) work?

• The mechanism of action of pregabalin is unknown. Pregabalin binds
  to calcium channels on nerves and may modify the release of neurotransmitters
  (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with each other). Reducing
  communication between nerves may contribute to pregabalin’s effect on pain and
  seizures.

When was Lyrica (pregabalin) approved by the FDA?

• The FDA approved pregabalin in December 2004.