Uses
This medication is used to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster) infection, or spinal cord injury. This medication is also used to treat pain in people with fibromyalgia.It is also used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures (focal seizures).
How to use Lyrica
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using pregabalin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times a day. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
To reduce your risk of side effects (such as dizziness and drowsiness), your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. It is best to take pregabalin at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions (such as seizures) may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, nausea, headache and diarrhea. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.
Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty concentrating, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have serious side effects, including: blurred vision, unusual bleeding/bruising, unsteadiness, confusion, muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially if you are tired or have a fever), swelling of hands/legs/feet, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizure, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior including signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: slow/shallow breathing.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug is: orlistat.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other products such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Does Lyrica interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is against the law.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney function) may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Images
Lyrica 25 mg capsule
Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 25
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 75 mg capsule
Color: orange,whiteShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 75
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 150 mg capsule
Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 150
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 50 mg capsule
Color: whiteShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 50
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 200 mg capsule
Color: light orangeShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 200
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 100 mg capsule
Color: orangeShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 100
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 300 mg capsule
Color: orange,whiteShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 300
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 20 mg/mL oral solution
Color: colorlessShape: Imprint:
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Lyrica 225 mg capsule
Color: light orange,whiteShape: oblongImprint: Pfizer PGN 225
This medicine is a white, oblong, capsule imprinted with "Pfizer" and "PGN 25".
Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
