Understanding Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Pregabalin is a prescription seizure medication. One of the most common brands of it is Lyrica. It is an oral medication. Thus, patients take it by mouth as a capsule, liquid, or extended-release tablet. There is a risk of dependency on this medication. It is a controlled substance! Thus, doctors monitor their patients who take it very closely.
This medication is a significant part of epilepsy treatment. It prevents seizures! Pregabalin is commonly prescribed along with other medications for seizures. It also acts as a fibromyalgia treatment. This is a major medication for diabetic nerve pain as well. It is an excellent treatment for diabetic neuropathy! In fact, it is a pain treatment for other causes of nerve damage, such as shingles and spinal cord injuries.
How It Works
This medication is an anticonvulsant! It treats seizures and nerve issues. This medication works very well, though research must still be done on precisely how it does so. Current evidence shows that it calms electrical pulses from nerves in the body. Specifically, the damaged or overactive nerves! Calm nerves mean less pain and fewer seizures! Epilepsy patients benefit greatly, since this medication reduces the abnormal electrical pulses that occur in their brain.
Nerve pain is reduced thanks to this medication interrupting pain messages along the spine or inside the brain. They do not make it to the point where individuals will feel pain! This medication treats certain anxiety disorders too. It does this by stopping the brain from releasing chemicals that induce anxiety! Patients will take doses at least twice a day. The medication will be effective in several weeks!
Reveal the main uses for this medication next.
Uses
Epilepsy patients experience seizures because of abnormal electrical activity flooding the brain. However, this medication slows this flood of pulses down. It makes them much less likely to trigger seizures! Fibromyalgia causes chronic fatigue and pain. Thankfully, pregabalin treats it. In fact, it is one of the only medications that have been specifically approved for this condition!
This medication has been approved to treat nerve damage from herpes zoster and nerve pain from diabetes. It will even get rid of pain from a healing or old spinal cord injury. Reports indicate that this medication also treats partial-onset seizures! 'Off-label' uses include anxiety and nerve damage stemming from other conditions.
Get the details on the side effects next.
Side Effects
This medication causes side effects! Blurry vision, feeling dizzy, and sleepiness are common in the first weeks. Thus, patients must not drive or operate heavy machinery! Patients also experience side effects that compromise their motor skills and cognition. Other common side effects are weight gain, dry mouth, and issues with concentration. Swelling in the hands and feet happens as well. Thankfully, these side effects are mild!
This medication causes serious side effects in certain patients. Examples are severe allergic reactions and heart problems. Heart problems on this medication appear with significant limb swelling and chest pain. An allergic reaction because of this drug has common symptoms. They are breathing issues, swelling, and a rash. Patients must also watch out for irritability, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts. They have to call their doctor immediately about these side effects. Many of them require emergency medical care!
Discover precautions associated with this medication next.
Precautions
Patients need to take precautions with this medication! A severe allergic reaction needs emergency treatment. Thus, patients must call 911! They need to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Doing so increases their risk of feeling dizzy and drowsy. It is vital to avoid these side effects! Kidney patients need a lower dose of this medication. Their body will have issues clearing this drug, which puts them at a higher risk of side effects on an average dose!
Patients with heart conditions cannot always take this medication. It makes many pre-existing heart conditions worse! Thus, doctors will find an alternative. Patients with mental health conditions have to monitor their reactions to this medication closely. Their doctor will help with this! This monitoring is essential because of the effects on mood that this medication has. Monitoring this medication is also vital because it is a controlled substance. This means that it can be misused!
Uncover the medication interactions next.
Medication Interactions
Pregabalin interacts with prescription medications, as well as certain vitamins and supplements. This is exactly why patients need to talk to their doctor first! They need to write a list of every medication and supplement they currently take. Doctors will check this list so that they prevent medication interactions with pregabalin! Taking diabetes medications, such as pioglitazone, with this one increases the risk and severity of side effects! Specifically, patients are at an increased risk of weight gain and swelling when they take both.
Other medications that interact with pregabalin include narcotic pain medications and anxiety medications. They increase fatigue and dizziness in patients! Blood pressure medications, such as lisinopril, also interact with this one. They trigger hives and swelling! Once again, patients need to talk to their doctor about their current medications before they are prescribed pregabalin. This is the only way to avoid medication interactions!