Lyrica Side Effects
There are many unpleasant side effects of Lyrica. We have used the generic term to refer to this drug throughout this guide, but only because that’s how many addicts refer to it. Just to be clear, these are also Pregabalin side effects as it’s the same drug (Pregabalin is the compound name; Lyrica is the brand name).
In this guide we’ll take a close look at Lyrica side effects and we will also discuss Lyrica withdrawal symptoms and more. Generally, if you are are addicted and worried about symptoms that will appear when you stop, or you’re preparing for first time use and are worried about how you will feel, this guide should be able to help.
You should also take a peek at our main page: Pregabalin Addiction.
Lyrica Side Effects: Very Common to Very Rare
Many of the side effects are listed as “very rare”, “rare” or “uncommon”. To give you an idea of just how rare they are, anything listed as “uncommon” is likely to occur in between in in 100 and 1 in 1,000 patients; “rare” will occur in between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000; and “very rare” is over 10,000.
If they are “very common” or “common” then it’s more of a concern, as these occur in between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people. In other words, in all cases the highest chance of getting a side effect listed on any drug leaflet is around 10% (the regulations on listed side effects are different depending on which country you’re in).
That might help to put your mind at ease, but just know that you’re not safe just because your chances of side effects are slim. You could still be one of the unlucky few, you will still likely experience some kind of side effect of Lyrica use, and this increases more with higher doses and with long-term use.
Lyrica Side Effects: Very Common
Dizziness and drowsiness are the two very common side effects associated with Lyrica. These may be felt, they may not, but they are typically not serious enough to cause concern and will typically fade with a little use.
Lyrica Side Effects: Common
Common Pregabalin side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Blurred Vision
- Irritability
- Constipation
- Dry Mouth
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Increased Appetite
- Changes in Libido
- Strange Dreams
Lyrica Side Effects: Infrequent
The following Pregabalin side effects are all classed as “infrequent”:
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Agitation
- Muscle Cramping
- Flushing and Sweating
- Rash
- Increased Saliva
- Incontinence (Urine)
Lyrica Side Effects: Rare
The rare Pregabalin side effects are little more worrying, as is usually the case, but bear in mind that these really are very rare, as mentioned above. If you are worried about these side effects then consult with your physician first and they will try to allay your concerns (not a complete list):
- Heart Block
- Hypotension
- Hypertension
- Suicidal Thoughts (there are suggestions that thee may be more commonly than previously thought)
- Pancreatitis
Pregabalin Withdrawal
There is a physical dependance associated with Lyrica. Known as Lyrica withdrawal, or Pregabalin withdrawal (the same thing really) this withdrawal can produce an array of unpleasant side effects, causing the user to return to their addiction.
Many of the Pregabalin withdrawal symptoms, which we have listed below, mirror the reasons it is prescribed in the first place. This is often the case, with many of the positive effects turning into negatives when the withdrawals kick in, like the constipation that can be triggered during Pregabalin addiction turning into diarrhea during withdrawal.
Pregabalin Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms associated with Pregabalin withdrawal include:
- Flu-Like Symptoms (as is common with Codeine Withdrawal)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Convulsions
- Pain
- Major Depression
- Dizziness
- Nausea
These pregabalin withdrawal symptoms are more common in patients who have used the drug for a prolonged period of time, as well as those who used high doses. If you have only been using small doses for a short-length of time a few days or even weeks) then you might escape without such symptoms.
In any case, the Lyrica withdrawal symptoms are not as unpleasant as opioid withdrawal and they are not as dangerous as alcohol withdrawal, but they are still nothing to look forward to and are more than enough to send a patient into relapse.
Does Pregabalin Cause Withdrawal?
Yes, and it can be very unpleasant. We have discussed Lyrica withdrawal and withdrawal symptoms below to give you an idea of what to expect. The good thing to know is that it isn’t as dangerous or unclean as many other substance withdrawals, but it’s still far from a walk in the park.
Why Does Pregabalin Cause Weight Gain?
There are many reports of Pregabalin causing weight-gain. The same issues have also been recorded with use of Gabapentin, which works in a similar way. Water retention can be partly to blame for this, at least in some users of the drug. But in most cases it is the appetite changes that are at fault.
One of the many Lyrica side effects, as mentioned already, is an increased appetite. And obviously the more you eat, the more weight you will put on. The fact that it makes users sedate and lethargic means they are also less inclined to exercise and to generally move around, which means the amount of calories they burn over the course of a day decreases.
It in’t always obvious to the user that they are eating more and exercising less, but this is very often the cause. So, if you are worried about weight gain on Lyrica then just make sure you monitor your calorie intake and try and get some exercise.
Pregabalin and Alcohol Dangers
Alcohol should be consumed with extreme caution or, preferably, not at all when taking Lyrica. It can make the user very drowsy and can exaggerate the many Lyrica side effects. It is not uncommon for users to drink alcohol when taking Lyrica, but it is never advised.
The same applies for many other drugs, especially those that create sedative effects and suppress breathing.
Is Nausea Common on Pregabalin?
Nausea is one of the most common Pregabalin side effects. So yes, it is common and it is not really anything to worry about. If you have been prescribed the drug for long-term use then you may want to consider lowering the dose. In either case, the nausea should go away as you become more accustomed to taking it.
A lot of the nausea felt when consuming drugs like this stems from the unease that some people feel at having a drug in their system, a drug that is beginning to alter perceptions and the way they feel. Add the common Lyrica side effect of lightheadedness to the mix, which is also known to trigger nausea, as well as the fact that nausea itself can be a direct side effect, and it’s easy to see why it’s so common.
Pregabalin for Opiate Withdrawal?
There are a lot of drugs out there that may be able to help with opiate and opioid withdrawal and Pregabalin is one of them. There are opiate addicts who have claimed to use this drug as a way of getting themselves through withdrawal. However, there are some things to consider here.
Firstly, if you are tapering then it means you are still using opiates and it is not advised to take opiates along with Pregabalin. If you have gone cold turkey from the opiates then it’s not a major concern, but there are other ones. Your body will be sluggish, more lethargic and weaker than normal and a drug like Pregabalin can make that worse, effectively turning you into a zombie.
It will also have little impact on the major symptoms of withdrawal, although it will probably help with the insomnia and the anxiety, as well as the cravings.
Can You Smoke Pregabalin?
Pregabalin should be taken orally and not smoked. There may be other methods of ingestion that get the drug into your system quicker, but this is not one of them. Smoking it would likely damage the chemical in the drug and do you very little good. Substances like this need to be altered in a certain way before they can be smoked.
That’s why cocaine is turned into crack before it is smoked. It is why heroin is smoked in a specific way, without direct contact with the flame, and it’s why you can smoke drugs like weed but not codeine. So don’t go putting that Lyrica in a joint, because it won’t do you any good.
How Long Does Pregabalin Stay in Your System?
Pregabalin has a half-life of just over 6 hours. The drug is quickly eliminated from your system and can therefore be hard to detect on drug tests. However, it could still be caught in that time.
How Long Does Pregabalin Stay in Your Blood?
Pregabalin will only remain in your blood for two days and could even be eliminated in just over a day. This is true for many drugs and it is why blood tests are rarely used to detect drug use.
How Long Does Pregabalin Stay in Your Urine?
Pregabalin will remain in your urine a little longer than it will remain in your blood, but it should still be out of there within a few days. This may be longer if you take it on a regular basis and take large doses.
How Long Does Pregabalin Stay in Your Hair?
All drugs can remain in the hair much longer than they can remain in the urine and the blood, but they are not excreted there as quickly as they are in the blood or urine.