Lyrica Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Lyrica Capsule contains the active ingredient pregabalin and belongs to the anticonvulsant (antiepileptic/gabapentinoid) class of medicines. It is used to treat neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and related nerve pain conditions, as well as fibromyalgia and generalized anxiety disorder. It is available as capsules, and according to other sources, also as an oral solution. Lyrica should be used exactly as prescribed, and the dose or treatment should not be stopped without checking with a doctor.

What is Lyrica Capsule

Lyrica is a prescription medicine that contains the active ingredient pregabalin. It belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants and is available as capsules (and, per other sources, as an oral solution).

Lyrica Capsule uses

• Treating neuropathic pain (pain caused by damage to or abnormality of the nerves)
• Controlling epilepsy (a condition with repeated seizures/fits)
• Diabetic nerve pain (diabetic neuropathy)
• Nerve pain caused by shingles (postherpetic neuralgia)
• Fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain and tenderness)
• Nerve pain caused by spinal cord injury
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Benefits of Lyrica Capsule

• Helps control neuropathic pain
• Helps control epilepsy/seizures
• Helps most people with neuropathic pain or epilepsy manage their condition

How Lyrica Capsule works

Lyrica is thought to work by controlling brain chemicals that send signals to nerves, which helps prevent seizures, and it also reduces pain signals sent through the nervous system.

Lyrica Capsule dosage

Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water; do not chew, break, or open them. Take your medicine at about the same time each day for the best effect and to help you remember. It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel well, since it controls but does not cure the condition. Do not stop taking it or lower the dose without checking with your doctor, as stopping suddenly can worsen your condition or cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not let yourself run out of medicine over weekends or holidays. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled; do not double up. This medicine is not recommended for children under 18 years old. If you are older than 65, your doctor may adjust your dose.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule
• Oral solution

Side effects of Lyrica Capsule

Common

• Dizziness
• Feeling tired or drowsy
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Increase in weight
• Unsteadiness when walking, reduced co-ordination, shaking or tremors
• Dry mouth
• Blurred or double vision
• Swelling in hands or feet
• Trouble concentrating
• Increased appetite

Serious

• Unusual changes in mood or behaviour
• Signs of new or increased irritability or agitation
• Signs of depression
• Confusion
• Swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
• Enlargement of breasts
• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness and weakness
• Passing little to no urine
• Trouble breathing, shallow breaths
• Yellowing of the skin or eye whites
• Dark coloured urine or pale-coloured stools
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Irritated red eyes that are sensitive to light
• More frequent or more severe seizures (fits)
• Rash, itching or hives
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• Skin peeling or serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• Ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes
• Easy bruising or unusual bleeding

Warnings and precautions

• Lyrica is not recommended during pregnancy. Taking pregabalin in the first three months of pregnancy may increase the chance of birth defects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• The active ingredient in Lyrica passes into breast milk, and its safety for infants is unknown. It is recommended that you do not breastfeed while taking Lyrica.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
• Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may make dizziness and drowsiness worse.
• Be careful driving or using machines until you know how this medicine affects you, since it can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
• Before taking Lyrica, tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse, since Lyrica carries a risk of misuse, abuse, and dependence. Combining Lyrica with other drowsiness-causing medicines such as sleeping tablets, opioids, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabis, or alcohol can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
• Do not stop taking Lyrica or lower the dose without checking with your doctor, since stopping suddenly may worsen your condition or cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Some people taking medicines for convulsions, including Lyrica, have had thoughts of harming themselves or ending their life. Patients and caregivers should watch for warning signs.

Storage

• Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them
• Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C
• Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink
• Do not leave it on a windowsill or in the car on hot days
• Keep it where children cannot reach it
• A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your vision. Contact your doctor or a mental health professional right away if you or someone you know shows signs of suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or unusual changes in mood or behaviour.

Alternatives

• Gabapentin
• Amitriptyline
• Topiramate