Get Informed: Lyrica
Active Ingredient(s)
Pregabalin
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of neuropathic (nerve) pain, fibromyalgia and epilepsy. It works at different sites in the nervous system, although its exact mechanism of action remains unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 9:37 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Lyrica
- Pregabalin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Dec 2004
- Est US Patients*
- 3,500,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Lyrica or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Lyrica
Lyrica Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Lyrica interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Lyrica used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 20,500 patients that use Lyrica (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Neuropathic Pain | 21% | 
|
| Fibromyalgia | 16% | 
|
| Pain | 9% |
|
| Osteoarthritis | 7% | 
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 7% |
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 6% |
|
| Epilepsy / Seizures | 2% |
|
| Migraine / Headache | 2% |
|
| Other | 38% |
|
How well does Lyrica work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 20,500 users taking Lyrica (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 72%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Lyrica outweigh the bad things.
- 38%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Lyrica.
Common Side Effects of Lyrica
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 20,500 users taking Lyrica (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
64% of patients experience side-effects on Lyrica
15% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Lyrica
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Weight Gain
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Blurred Vision
-
Dryness
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Constipation
-
Numbness/Tingling
-
Headache
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Chest Pain/Tightness, Dry Mouth, Glucose Problems, Hair Loss, Itch/Rash, Mental Haziness, Sexual Problems, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Lyrica (Pregabalin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Lyrica for about a year now. I take 225 twice a day to help me with pain from Ulnar nerve and Carpal tunnel pain. If you have ever hit your funny bone, you have experienced this pain. My hands are like this 24/7. I have been a heavy diesel mechanic for 25 years now and I believe that without the relief Lyrica provides, I would be disabled. It made me really dizzy at first, but now that I am used to it, I hardly notice anymore.
44 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-05 10:46:44
Question/Comment:
I take 75mg Maxgalin (Lyrica, pregabalin) twice a day for peripheral neuropathy. I've been on for about 6mo now and I'm a happy camper. Pain reduced to 50% of what it was. I can walk and ride my bilke. Yes I'm gaining a few pound's, a little dizzy, tired at times, and trouble concentrating. But those of you with Periperal Neuropathy will apreicate the 50-60% pain reduction. I hope to have a lot of pain free life and bike riding in my future. I only pay about $1.00 per pill from Canada.
69 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-07 15:04:53
Question/Comment:
I've been taking 75mg of Lyrica twich daily now for the last two weeks. I've been prescribed it to treat disabling anxiety which I have had for the past two years.
I have worked my my wa through plenty of anti-depressants without any success. This medication seems to be at least as effective as anti-depressants so far. I'm hoping that the positive effects will build the longer I take it. The doctor has just increased my doseage to 200mg daily. I can say that this is helping to control the terrible agitation that I experience from anxiety and it has improved the quality of my sleep.
I have experienced tiredness and dizziness as a result of taking this medication. The dizziness is worrying for me as it provokes anxiety but I'm sure it wouldnt be a problem for those taking it for other conditions. Apart from that no other side effects at all. I'd be interested to hear from other iguard users with regards to taking Lyrica for anxiety it is licensed for this in the UK but I understand that this is not the case in the USA.
30 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-02 05:25:43
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Dizziness is reported by 5% of iGuard members, During clinical studies, up to 31% of patients experience dizziness while taking Lyrica. For some, the dizziness will go away with time. For others, this is a side effect that continues as long as they are on the medication. The severity of the dizziness depends on the dose. The higher the dose, the worse the dizziness may become. It is up to you to decide if the dizziness is something that is affecting your quality of life or not. If it is or if it becomes worse, make an appointment to discuss it with your physician.
Posted: 2009-11-03 00:00:33
Question/Comment:
I'm amazed at the number of comments here. I have taken Lyrica (150mg twice a day) for over 2 years for lower back pain & some nerve damage in my feet. Decided to go off a month ago just to see if it really helps. I was bent over double and really miserable. Went back to original dose & increased with another 75mg in the morning. I became human again after 3 days with the extra dose. Doctor had recommended an extra 75mg in the evening too. Not taking it since I am feeling so well. My posture is better and I can now go for walks. Would like to see the price come down. I am in the Medicare Part D doughnut hole and paying full price for it.
81 year old female.
82 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 16:48:11
Question/Comment:
I have rsd myself and Im been taking Lyrica for a few months and it dont seem to work on my pain at all. On the 27 of this month my dr up the doses from 50 mg to 100mg the only thing that the drug seem to be doing is making me fall asleep but not making the pain ease up I had RSD fro yrs now.
33 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-30 18:00:33
Answer/Reply:
I have severe back and neck pain as well as nerve damage. I was taking Lyrica for two years. My dosage was two 150 mg caps at bedtime. I did not realize how much it was helping until my insurance company decided not to cover my perscription for Lyrica anymore. I had to stop taking it and since I have stopped, my pain has increased dramatically. I started at a lower dose and worked up to the 300 a day over a 6 month period. I also found that over time, it no longer made me sleepy, but it worked and I wish I was still able to take it.
43 year old female
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-17 11:25:27
Answer/Reply:
this is for the 33yr. old with rsd how long have you had rsd and what part of your body, i have it in my left leg and it has gotten worse and is now in my whole leg and hip, i have been on lyrica for about 3months 100mg. morning and 100mg. night i really don't see any benifits yet. i also take norco 10/325 4 times a gay for pain, nothing really helps but the norco does take the edge off, what pain med do you take and does it help? i have been everywhere and have been told that i will have to live with it or just ma-bee some day i will wake up and it will be gone, still waitting afetr 8yrs. 0h i forgot to tell you that i am 63yrs. old and got the rsd from knee surgery.
64 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-13 16:49:14
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139
Patient Comments about
Lyrica