Lyrica is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain types of nerve pain and epilepsy. The medication is available as an oral capsule and oral solution. Lyrica belongs to the antiepileptic drug class.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lyrica to treat the following conditions in adults:

Lyrica is also prescribed for treating focal onset seizures in children ages 1 month and older, along with other epilepsy medications.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Lyrica here:

  • Drug class: antiseizure medication
  • Drug forms: oral capsule and oral solution
  • Generic available? yes
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? yes
  • Year of FDA approval: 2004

Note: This article focuses on Lyrica, not Lyrica CR. Lyrica CR is a controlled-release tablet, meaning the medication slowly releases into your body over time. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about Lyrica CR.

Lyrica is a brand-name drug that contains the active ingredient pregabalin. This active ingredient is also available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.

The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you’re interested in using the generic form of Lyrica, talk with your doctor. They can tell you if it comes in forms and strengths that can be used for your condition.

Lyrica can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Lyrica. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Lyrica, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Lyrica, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Here is a partial list of mild side effects of Lyrica. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Lyrica’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Lyrica can include:

  • blurry vision
  • difficulty concentrating
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • problems with balance and coordination
  • sexual side effects
  • sleepiness
  • swelling in your hands or feet
  • weakness
  • weight gain

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Lyrica aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), which may include symptoms such as:
    • petechiae (small, round, dark red or discolored spots on the skin)
    • purpura (a group of petechiae that form a bruise-like rash)
  • muscle-related side effects, including rhabdomyolysis. Symptoms can include:
    • unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
    • fever
  • angioedema (swelling), which can cause swelling of the face, mouth, and throat and cause life threatening breathing problems
  • respiratory depression, which may include symptoms such as:
    • slow, shallow breathing
    • abnormal breath sounds, such as a crackling or whistling sound while breathing
  • slowed thinking, reaction times, and coordination, which can make it dangerous to drive or operate machinery while taking Lyrica
  • depression and increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Side effect specifics

This section contains some in-depth information about some of Lyrica’s side effects.

Sleepiness

Sleepiness is one of the most common side effects reported in studies of Lyrica.

This side effect can cause you to feel sleepy during the day, which can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Due to this risk, it’s best to avoid driving or other potentially dangerous activities for your first few days of treatment until you know how Lyrica affects you.

If you have sleepiness that bothers you or doesn’t go away while taking Lyrica, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether you should continue treatment with the medication.

Sexual side effects

While not common, sexual side effects were reported in studies of Lyrica. Sexual side effects reported by people taking Lyrica in these studies include:

Let your doctor know if you’re concerned about or experience sexual side effects during treatment with Lyrica. They can discuss the best ways to treat your symptoms. This may involve stopping treatment with Lyrica.

Depression and suicide risk

Like other medications for epilepsy, treatment with Lyrica may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. And depression was a side effect rarely reported in some studies of Lyrica.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • loss of interest or enjoyment in hobbies and activities
  • depressed mood that doesn’t go away
  • feelings of guilt or worthlessness

While taking Lyrica, pay close attention to your behavior, moods, and thoughts. It can also be useful to tell a close family member or friend you’re taking Lyrica, if you’re comfortable doing so. They can help monitor you for these changes.

Immediately report new or worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors to your doctor. They can determine whether you should stop taking Lyrica.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Side effects in children

Lyrica is prescribed to treat focal onset seizures in children ages 1 month and older. In studies, the most common side effects in children taking Lyrica for this use include:

  • sleepiness
  • weight gain
  • increased appetite
  • increased saliva

Other rare side effects in children taking Lyrica in these studies include viral infection and pneumonia, which were only reported in children ages 1 month to under 4 years.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions or concerns about Lyrica side effects in children.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Lyrica can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Lyrica, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Lyrica to treat certain conditions. Lyrica may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Lyrica for diabetic nerve pain

Lyrica is FDA approved to treat diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain related to diabetes) in the hands or feet. Diabetic nerve pain happens when high levels of sugar or fat in the blood cause damage to your nerves. It’s a progressive condition, which means symptoms typically worsen over time.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:

  • numbness, pain, tingling, or a burning sensation in your hands or feet, which may spread to the arms or legs
  • inability or difficulty to feel cold, heat, or physical injury to your hands or feet
  • problems with balance

Losing sensation in your feet can make it difficult to feel cuts or sores, which may become infected. In rare cases, this can lead to needing an amputation.

To learn more about diabetes, including diabetic nerve pain, visit our diabetes hub.

Lyrica for nerve pain caused by shingles

Lyrica is prescribed to treat nerve pain caused by shingles, which is also called postherpetic neuralgia.

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox). Shingles typically affects a single sensory nerve near the spinal cord. This results in symptoms that usually affect one side of the body.

The main symptom of shingles is a skin rash affecting certain areas, most commonly on the waist, chest, back, or abdomen. The rash may develop into fluid-filled blisters. This may be accompanied by a constant burning or sharp, stabbing pain that comes and goes.

Lyrica for nerve pain caused by spinal cord injury

Lyrica is FDA approved to treat nerve pain caused by a spinal cord injury.

Your spinal cord is a group of nerves that send signals from your brain to the rest of your body. A spinal cord injury can affect your ability to control and feel body parts such as your arms, legs, and bladder. It may also cause numbness or tingling due to nerve pain. Symptoms vary depending on the part of the spinal cord affected and the severity of the injury.

Lyrica for fibromyalgia

Lyrica is prescribed to treat fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes generalized pain in your muscles and bones. Fibromyalgia doesn’t appear to cause actual damage to your muscles or joints, but people with fibromyalgia may have increased sensitivity to pain. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, headache, and problems with concentration and memory.

It’s difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia, and there isn’t a single known cause for the condition or its symptoms. There also isn’t a known cure, but medications such as Lyrica can reduce symptoms.

Lyrica for focal onset seizures

Lyrica is FDA approved to treat focal onset seizures, which are a type of epilepsy. (These are also called partial onset seizures.) For this purpose, Lyrica should be prescribed with other epilepsy drugs.

With focal onset seizures, the seizure begins in only one part of the brain. This is different from a generalized seizure, which originate across the entire brain. However, a partial seizure can spread to other parts of the brain after one begins.

Symptoms of focal onset seizures include:

  • muscle contractions
  • atypical movements in your head or eyes that you cannot control
  • vision changes

To learn more about focal onset seizures, check out our hub for epilepsy and seizures.

Lyrica and children

Lyrica is prescribed for treating focal onset seizures in children ages 1 month and older. For this use, Lyrica is prescribed along with other medications that treat epilepsy.

The Lyrica dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Lyrica to treat
  • your age
  • your kidney function
  • other medical conditions you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Lyrica comes as an oral capsule. It’s available in the following strengths:

  • 25 mg
  • 50 mg
  • 75 mg
  • 100 mg
  • 150 mg
  • 200 mg
  • 225 mg
  • 300 mg

Lyrica is also available as a liquid solution you swallow. The solution is available in one strength: 20 mg per milliliter (mL) of solution.

Note: Lyrica is also available as Lyrica CR, a controlled-release tablet. Dosages for this form are not discussed in this article, but your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about Lyrica CR.

Dosage for diabetic nerve pain

For treating diabetic nerve pain, your starting Lyrica dosage will likely be 50 mg taken three times per day. The maximum recommended dosage for diabetic nerve pain is 100 mg taken three times per day.

Dosage for nerve pain caused by shingles

For treating nerve pain due to shingles, the recommended starting Lyrica dosage is either:

  • 75 mg taken twice per day, or
  • 50 mg taken three times per day

The maximum dose recommended for treating nerve pain due to shingles is either:

  • 300 mg taken twice per day, or
  • 200 mg taken three times per day

Dosage for nerve pain caused by spinal cord injury

The recommended starting Lyrica dosage for nerve pain due to a spinal cord injury is 75 mg taken twice per day. The maximum dosage for this use is 300 mg taken twice per day.

Dosage for fibromyalgia

For treating fibromyalgia, the recommended starting Lyrica dosage is 75 mg taken twice per day. The maximum dose for this use is 225 mg taken twice per day.

Dosage for focal onset seizures

To treat focal onset seizures, the recommended starting Lyrica dosage is 150 mg split into two or three daily doses. The maximum dose is 600 mg divided into two or three daily doses.

Children’s dosage

Lyrica is prescribed for treating focal onset seizures in children ages 1 month and older. Recommended dosages for this use depend on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dose is expressed in terms of mg per kg per day, or mg/kg/day.

  • For children weighing 30 kg (about 66 lb) or more, the recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg/kg/day split into two or three doses. The maximum dose is 10 mg/kg/day (up to a maximum of 600 mg per day) split into two or three doses.
    • For example, in a child weighing 40 kg (about 88 lb), the starting dose may be 100 mg per day, split into two or three doses (such as 50 mg taken twice per day).
  • For children weighing less than 30 kg (about 66 lb), the recommended starting dose is 3.5 mg/kg/day split into two or three doses. The maximum dose recommended is 14 mg/kg/day split into two or three doses.
    • For example, in a child weighing 20 kg (about 44 lb), the starting dose may be 70 mg per day, split into two or three doses.

About taking Lyrica

You’ll find information about key dosage issues here:

  • When to take: How often you take Lyrica, and when to take it, depends on the dosage you’re prescribed. Lyrica is typically taken two to three times per day. You should aim to space the doses evenly throughout your day. It may be helpful to time your doses with meals to help you remember and not miss a dose.
  • If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take more than one dose of Lyrica at a time.
  • Taking Lyrica with food: You can take Lyrica with or without food. There are no foods to avoid while taking Lyrica.
  • Crushing, splitting, or chewing Lyrica: You should not crush, open, or chew Lyrica capsules. If you have trouble swallowing Lyrica capsules, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for advice. They can determine whether the oral solution might be a better form of Lyrica for you.
  • Length of use: Lyrica is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lyrica is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. But how long you should take Lyrica is ultimately to you and your doctor.

Overdose

Using more than the recommended dosage of Lyrica can lead to serious side effects. Do not use more Lyrica than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

  • slowed thinking and reactions
  • feeling depressed or anxious
  • feeling agitated, confused, or restless
  • seizures
  • heart block (an interruption in the heart’s electrical signals) which can cause fainting, shortness of breath, and other symptoms

In extreme cases, a Lyrica overdose can be life threatening or fatal.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Lyrica.

Is Lyrica an opioid or narcotic?

No, Lyrica is not an opioid or narcotic.

However, Lyrica is a controlled substance. In the United States, some medications with potential for misuse and dependence are classified as controlled substances. This means there are strict regulations for how doctors and pharmacists prescribe and dispense these medications. (With misuse, a drug is taken differently than how it’s prescribed. And with dependence, you need the drug to feel like you usually do.)

To learn more about Lyrica and the potential for misuse, dependence, and withdrawal, see the “Lyrica withdrawal and dependence” section. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What is Lyrica’s half-life?

Lyrica’s half-life is about 6 hours. A medication’s half-life helps determine how long it may stay in your system. It typically takes about five half-lives before a medication is mostly removed from your system. So it may take around 30 hours before Lyrica is out of your system.

This can vary based on factors such as your dose and how long you’ve taken the medication. Your pharmacist or doctor can answer any other questions you may have about Lyrica’s half-life.

Will Lyrica make me feel ‘high’?

Possibly. Studies of Lyrica showed some people reported feeling “high” or euphoric after taking Lyrica. Lyrica is a controlled substance, and has potential for misuse, dependence, and withdrawal. To learn more, see the “Lyrica withdrawal and dependence” section.

If you have concerns about how Lyrica makes you feel, let your doctor know.

Will Lyrica show up on a drug test?

It depends on the specific drug test.

Most urine drug tests, such as a 10-panel urine drug test, do not check for Lyrica. But there are drug tests available that can check for Lyrica.

If you need to have a drug test, be sure the person ordering the test knows you’re taking Lyrica. Your doctor can confirm you’ve been prescribed the medication if requested.

You may wonder how Lyrica compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. You can find out how Lyrica compares to gabapentin.

Lyrica should be taken with caution with drugs that also affect the central nervous system, such as opioids. Taking these drugs together can increase the risk of respiratory depression. If you’re taking an opioid, your doctor might have you start Lyrica at a lower dose than usual.

Lyrica is not known to interact with other specific medications, herbs, supplements, or foods. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information, except for an interaction with alcohol as described here. However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Lyrica.

Before starting Lyrica treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions with Lyrica.

Alcohol interaction

It is not safe to consume alcohol while taking Lyrica. Lyrica may worsen certain effects of alcohol, including drowsiness and problems with balance and coordination.

If you have questions about the safety of drinking alcohol while taking Lyrica, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of Lyrica can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Lyrica. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Lyrica, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Lyrica is available in a generic form called pregabalin. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of pregabalin compares to the cost of Lyrica, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Lyrica, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Alternatives for diabetic nerve pain

The following drugs are alternatives to Lyrica for treating diabetic nerve pain:

Alternatives for nerve pain due to shingles

The following medications are alternatives to Lyrica for treating nerve pain due to shingles:

  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • amitriptyline
  • gabapentin (Neurontin)
  • topical lidocaine (ZTlido)
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • topical capsaicin (Qutenza)
  • tramadol (ConZip)

Alternatives for nerve pain due to a spinal cord injury

The following drugs are alternatives to Lyrica for treating nerve pain due to a spinal cord injury:

  • amitriptyline
  • baclofen
  • duloxetine (Cymbalta)
  • gabapentin (Neurontin)
  • tizanidine (Zanaflex)
  • tramadol (ConZip)
  • venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Alternatives for fibromyalgia

The following drugs are alternatives to Lyrica for treating fibromyalgia:

  • duloxetine (Cymbalta)
  • fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • milnacipran (Savella)
  • paroxetine (Paxil)
  • venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Alternatives for focal onset seizures

The following drugs are alternatives to Lyrica for treating focal onset seizures:

  • carbamazepine (Tegretol, others)
  • lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • levetiracetam (Keppra)
  • phenytoin (Dilantin)
  • divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote ER)

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, fertility, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Lyrica and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Lyrica should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

If you and your doctor agree you’ll take Lyrica during pregnancy, consider joining the Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. This study helps research the safety of using antiepileptic drugs such as Lyrica during pregnancy. You can join by calling 888-233-2334 or by visiting the registry website.

Lyrica and fertility

Treatment with Lyrica may affect fertility in males. This is based on animal studies that showed changes to sperm, decreased fertility, and problems in offspring of male rats treated with Lyrica. It’s important to point out that animal studies don’t always predict how a drug will affect humans. It’s not clear whether Lyrica can also affect fertility in humans taking the medication.

If you’re male and planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before you start taking Lyrica. Your doctor can help determine whether another treatment besides Lyrica may be a better choice for you.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Lyrica and birth control

It’s not known whether Lyrica is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Lyrica.

Lyrica and breastfeeding

Lyrica’s manufacturer recommends that you do not breastfeed while taking Lyrica. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Lyrica.

You can refer to this Lyrica reproductive health article for more information about Lyrica treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding.

How Lyrica works to manage pain and treat seizures is not fully understood. We do know that Lyrica attaches to a certain part of calcium receptors in your central nervous system. Animal studies have shown that this action reduces nerve pain signals in the nervous system. This action might also help stop seizures from occurring by blocking certain electrical signals.

How long does it take Lyrica to work?

How long it takes for Lyrica to work can vary based on the condition you’re taking it to treat. Although it begins working with your first dose, you may not feel its effects right away.

For treating nerve pain or fibromyalgia, some people taking Lyrica in studies reported reductions in pain within 1 week. But it may take several weeks or even a few months before you notice an improvement in your condition.

For treating focal onset seizures, it may take several weeks before you notice a reduction in your symptoms.

This drug comes with several precautions.

Before taking Lyrica, discuss your health history with your doctor. Lyrica may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: You can refer to this Lyrica interactions article for more information. And to learn more about the potential negative effects of Lyrica, see the “Lyrica side effects” section.

Lyrica can cause drug dependence and withdrawal, according to studies. It’s important to note that physical dependence is not the same as addiction.

Withdrawal refers to symptoms that appear after you stop taking a medication your body is dependent on. Withdrawal is especially likely if you suddenly stop taking Lyrica. Withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • insomnia
  • nausea
  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • anxiety
  • sweating

Due to the risk of withdrawal, you should not suddenly stop taking Lyrica without first speaking with your doctor. If you need to stop taking Lyrica, your doctor can slowly lower your dose over time until it’s safe to stop taking it entirely.

Lyrica is a controlled substance. In the U.S., certain medications with potential for misuse and dependence are classified as controlled substances. This means there are strict regulations for how doctors and pharmacists prescribe and dispense these medications. (With misuse, a drug is taken differently than how it’s prescribed. And with dependence, you need the drug to feel like you usually do.)

Your pharmacist or doctor can answer questions you may have about Lyrica and its status as a controlled substance.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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