Lyrica Withdrawal

Lyrica Withdrawal, Overdose, Symptoms and Side Effects of Abuse and Addiction, Mixing Lyrica with Opioids, Treatment

What is Lyrica?

How Lyrica Addiction Develops?

Lyrica Abuse

Lyrica has a high potential for abuse, and evidence suggests that some patients develop addictive behaviors toward the drug [6]. A recent study reports that most individuals taking Lyrica were unaware of the adverse health consequences linked with its abuse.

There has been an immediate increase in the recreational abuse of Lyrica in recent years. Users find that they can experience feelings of dissociation and euphoria when they surpass standard therapeutic dosages or use alternative ways of administration, such as injection or inhalation.

There has been a repots on the rising number of patients arriving at emergency rooms with damaging symptoms arising from Lyrica abuse. Several patients presented with seizures, while some required intubation and ventilation before being admitted to the intensive care unit. There is also evidence that taking Lyrica and other drugs increases mortality risk. Lyrica significantly increased the risk of acute overdose death when combined with opiates such as heroin.

Pregabalin for Withdrawal

Drug and alcohol-related physical dependence is a major clinical issue, and its treatment concerns world health. Pregabalin does have some potential. However, there is little proof that it can effectively treat physical dependence withdrawal symptoms. Pregabalin’s effectiveness and safety in various patient populations must be further demonstrated by large-scale, meticulous, adequately controlled clinical investigations. In addition, clinicians should be cautious when providing pregabalin to patients with a history of prior substance abuse and address the potential risk of pregabalin misuse or abuse.

Pregabalin for Opioid Withdrawal

According to certain preclinical research, Pregabalin may treat opioid physical dependence and withdrawal. In a study by Hasanein and Shakeri, adult Wistar rats were given escalating doses of subcutaneous morphine (2.5-50 mg/kg over a 7-day period) to make them opioid dependent. The impact of pregabalin (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg subcutaneously) on withdrawal signs and symptoms was evaluated using naloxone precipitation withdrawal tests. Most naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal symptoms, such as weight loss, teeth chattering, penis licking, jumping, wet dog shivers, standing, sniffing, face grooming, and paw tremor, were significantly reduced by pregabalin in a dose-dependent manner.

Pregabalin for Alcohol Withdrawal

Pregabalin has been investigated in a preclinical trial for physical alcohol dependence. Pregabalin (50-200 mg/kg) dose-dependently lessened the intensity of behavioral convulsions that occurred in mice exposed to ethanol repeatedly compared to animals given a vehicle. Given that seizures may be a significant side effect of alcohol withdrawal, pregabalin, an anticonvulsant that can lessen withdrawal symptoms, may be especially helpful in this situation.

Pregabalin for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Pregabalin has been investigated as a pharmacologic adjunct for the cessation of chronic benzodiazepine use. Pregabalin has fewer possible medication interactions than carbamazepine, and most of its side effects are mild and short-lived. Pregabalin binds to regulatory subunits of voltage-activated calcium channels to inhibit the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. Most studies examined could not detect a difference between pregabalin and comparator groups in the rate of benzodiazepine cessation. Since patients were only monitored for 0–12 weeks after stopping the benzodiazepines, it is also unknown how long pregabalin will remain effective in helping people stop taking them.

According to most investigations, pregabalin administration in benzodiazepine discontinuation did, however, consistently enhance withdrawal symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and cognitive performance. However, studies’ designs varied according to past attempts to stop using benzodiazepines, baseline benzodiazepine use characteristics (agent, dose, duration), prior attempts to stop using benzodiazepines, and the use of concurrent psychotropic medications and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses as exclusion criteria. Furthermore, the literature does not explicitly state if patients successfully stopped taking pregabalin, a drug for which there have been reports of drug misuse.

Most studies did not find a significant difference in benzodiazepine discontinuation rates between pregabalin and comparator groups despite an improvement in withdrawal and anxiety symptoms, so based on the evidence currently available, pregabalin is not advised for use in benzodiazepine discontinuation.

Pregabalin for Opiate Withdrawal

Although opiate withdrawal is challenging, numerous medications have been created to lessen the symptoms. Pregabalin was one of several medications examined in a clinical trial that began in 2014 for this condition (Lyrica).

Although Lyrica is typically used to treat seizures and nerve pain problems, including fibromyalgia and neuropathy, it has also been used off-label to alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms. Some people discovered that Lyrica helped significantly lessen the severe opiate withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea, and hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain).

Withdrawal from opiates can also result in seizures. Thus Lyrica seems like the perfect medication to avoid them.

There are many different opiates available, each with certain unique qualities that could either boost or decrease Lyrica’s effectiveness. These consist of the following:

There isn’t enough data to definitively state which opiates will interact with Lyrica better or worse. Therefore, it is essential to assess each case individually to determine the best treatment for withdrawal symptoms. It is crucial to see a medical expert handling the withdrawal and detox phase if you have established an opiate dependency because doing so might be dangerous to your health. It would help if you didn’t try to cure your opiate withdrawal using Lyrica. There must be medical monitoring.

Mixing Lyrica with Other Drugs

Some people say the feeling of a Lyrica high as feeling drunk; that is why it got the nickname “Budweiser.” Some people may combine alcohol and Lyrica, which increases the side effects of drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and dizziness. Individuals who abuse this drug will swallow a larger amount than their prescription allows or without a prescription at all. Users may also crush the tablet and snort the contents. The euphoric effects are increased when mixed with other drugs, like Opiates, but so are the feelings of dizziness and sleepiness. Intentionally combining Lyrica with other drugs, such as Heroin, can lead to an overdose.

There has been a growing concern in the reports on the misuse and abuse of pregabalin and gabapentin. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) [6], gabapentinoids ( such as pregabalin and gabapentin) are widely used in neurology, psychiatry and primary healthcare. Still, they are increasingly reported as possessing potential misuse and abuse. Increasing levels of both prescriptions and related fatalities, together with a growing black market, that has been reported from a range of countries.

Combining Lyrica and Opioids

There is an even greater risk for people taking multiple drugs simultaneously. Lyrica is statistically more deadly when combined with opioids. Morphine, Heroin, and fentanyl are very popular on the black market. The popularity of fentanyl, in particular, contributes greatly to the opioid epidemic in the western world. Normally cut with other medications like Xanax, an amount of fentanyl equivalent to a few grains of salt has the potential to be fatal.

When a person takes Lyrica with fentanyl, heroin, or other opioids, the risk for lethal overdose increases immensely. Unfortunately, users are tempted to do so because Lyrica has a reputation for boosting the euphoria some experience with opioids. Though the threat is increased and the combination often life-threatening, people continue to use the substances simultaneously due to addiction, lack of knowledge in the risks, or the pursuit of a stronger high.

Side Effects of Lyrica Abuse

Short-term side effects of Lyrica abuse may include:

Long-term side effects of Lyrica abuse may include:

What Is Lyrica Withdrawal?

Drastically stopping Lyrica or suddenly decreasing the dose can lead to uncomfortable Lyrica withdrawal symptoms. These Lyrica withdrawal symptoms can become life-threatening and require medical care in some cases. Therefore, it’s best to detox from Lyrica under the supervision of a doctor or another healthcare professional.

Even an individual who does not misuse Lyrica can develop a chemical dependence on the prescription medication. This is different from full-blown addiction, a condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior and abuse. Still, even without addiction, Lyrica withdrawal symptoms can happen. Because this drug has depressant qualities, Lyrica withdrawal symptoms are like those experienced with benzodiazepines or alcohol.

Symptoms of Lyrica Withdrawal

In most cases, a person may become dependent on Lyrica and experience Lyrica withdrawal symptoms after using the drug for an extended period. Therefore, those abusing the drug should slowly taper off Lyrica to prevent the more severe side effects of withdrawal, which can be pretty uncomfortable. Sometimes these symptoms may be life-threatening and require medical care.

The severity of Lyrica withdrawal symptoms can change based on the length of time the drug was used, the dose, and whether the individual was abusing other drugs.

Individuals who have used very high doses of the drug or have been on the medication for an extended time may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms. Conversely, those who have taken a lower dose, or for a short period may experience mild Lyrica withdrawal symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Signs and symptoms of withdrawal can include:

Lyrica Withdrawal Anxiety

Patients experiencing withdrawal from Lyrica suffered from chronic sleeplessness among other symptoms. The most significant issues were palpitations, restlessness, and anxiety. However, there were no signs of psychosis, such as hallucinogenic beliefs or mood swings.

Lyrica Withdrawal Depression

Harmful psychological withdrawal symptoms include sadness and suicidal thoughts or actions. Depression raises the risk of recurrence and overdose.

Lyrica Withdrawal Nausea

Dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance can result from nausea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.

Lyrica Withdrawal Seizures

Since Lyrica can be used to treat seizures, discontinuing the prescription can suddenly cause episodes to return, potentially fatal.

Complications of Lyrica Withdrawal

Lyrica withdrawal symptoms can cause complications—some of which can be deadly.