Is Lyrica (Pregabalin) a Dangerous Drug? Long-Term Side Effects

Are you taking Lyrica or a generic pregabalin and wondering if it’s safe to do so long-term?

Or have you been prescribed one and want to know more about side effects and contraindications?

As a physiotherapist, my patients suffering from neurological pain often asked me about the appropriateness of this medication. So I researched scientific studies, which led to this article.

♻️ Last update: 27 november 2024.
👩‍⚖️ Declaration of financial interests: none directly related to the subject. My complete declaration of financial interests is in the legal notice section.
Written by Nelly Darbois, physiotherapist and scientific editor

When is Lyrica prescribed in France?

Lyrica is the most common commercial name for pregabalin. It can be purchased in pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.

It has marketing authorization in France for :

• neuropathic pain (e.g. diabetic neuropathy, stroke, small-fiber neuropathy, spinal cord injury, herpes neuralgia, lower limb neuropathy, alcoholic polyneuritis, etc.);
• certain forms ofepilepsy;
• generalized anxiety disorders (e.g. associated with fibromyalgia).

In 2021, various health authorities in France noted that Lyrica was very often prescribed outside these indications. For example, because of back pain, insomnia or restless legs syndrome.

False prescriptions are also common with this substance, notably because of its euphoric effect: in fact, it is the most frequently prescribed substance in France.

That’s why prescription rules have been modified and its dispensing is more strictly controlled.

What are the side effects of Lyrica and how often do they occur?

Most of the adverse reactions reported with pregabalin are :

• oflight to moderate intensity,
• dose-dependent (often 300 to 600 mg/day),
• during the first two weeks of treatment. For those wondering how long it takes for Lyrica to take effect, it’s usually during this 2-week period.

The two most common side effects leading people to stop Lyrica occur in more than1 in 10 people (Toth 2014) whatever the amount taken:

• Drowsiness;
• dizziness.

More than 5% of people taking pregabalin develop one or more of the following side effects (2 times more often than similar people taking placebo):

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• blurred vision,
• difficulty concentrating/attention (hence the recommendation not to drive when taking Lyrica),
• dry mouth,
• peripheral edema (swelling of the ankles or other parts of the body) in 8% of people (Toth 2014),
• weight gain.

This still means that more than 9 out of 10 people report none of the side effects listed here.

Lyrica is also known to provoke certain dark thoughts in some people.

Source : Cross 2022

Are there any risks involved in stopping Lyrica (withdrawal, dependence)?

There is also a risk during withdrawal, when Lyrica is stopped all at once (especially if it has been taken for several months or years), with the effects described:

• insomnia,
• nausea,
• headaches
• anxiety,
• nervousness, irritability,
• hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating),
• diarrhea.

That’s why we recommend you consult your general practitioner, neurologist or psychiatrist if you’re thinking of stopping Lyrica.

Chronic use of Lyrica (several months or years) can lead to physical dependence, and there is a risk of abuse associated with its use, especially in patients taking opioid medications (e.g. morphine) or with a history of substance abuse.

Source : Cross 2022

Is Lyrica a drug?

It all depends, of course, on what we mean by the word “drug”.

I’m working on the assumption that the word “drug” is often used to describe a substance that is banned in certain countries and has psychotropic effects (which is the case for many medicines).

Such is the case with Lyrica.

Does Lyrica make you sleepy?

Lyrica causes drowsiness in some people. This is what sometimes leads them to stop taking it.

So yes, Lyrica does make some people sleep.

But it is not recommended/indicated for sleep disorders.

Source : Cross 2022

Does Lyrica have side effects on the eyes?

Visual disturbances such as blurred vision or double vision are sometimes reported by people taking Lyrica. This effect is classified as “vertigo”, which is one of the most common side effects of Lyrica.

Does Lyrica cause tremors?

Studies on the side effects of Lyrica do not specifically mention tremors, but it is reasonable to think that this may be a symptom experienced by people describing sensations of vertigo.

Lyrica and weight gain: a link?

Yes, there is a probable link between weight gain and Lyrica consumption.

Pregabalin-associated weight gain is dose-dependent and occurred in up to 14% of patients receiving 600 mg daily.

Source : Cross 2022

Is there a risk in case of Lyrica overdose?

If you are taking Lyrica, your doctor has probably recommended a certain amount to be taken once, twice or three times a day. Often starting at 75 mg, and increasing as needed over the weeks, not exceeding a certain amount per day.

The highest known accidental overdose of pregabalin when the first clinical trials on patients were carried out was 8,000 mg in one day; this event had no significant clinical consequences (which of course does not mean that everyone would have reacted in the same way).

The most frequently reported adverse events in cases of overdose (less than 8000 mg) were :

• altered consciousness, confusion, agitation,
• depression,
• anxiety.

And in some people taking pregabalin in addition to other substances acting on the central nervous system:

• cardiac blocks (artyhmia),
• epileptic seizures,
• death.

Source : Cross 2022

What increases the risk of Lyrica side effects?

A Japanese research team 🇯🇵 has tried to identify why some people develop more side effects than others when taking Lyrica.

Here are their conclusions.

Drowsiness is most likely to occur in people who have been taking Lyrica for a long time. If this side effect occurs, the dose should be kept to a minimum.

Dizziness is more likely to occur in older people.

Weight gain and edema in people with high iron creatinine levels.

It is also advisable not to take alcohol or other anti-epileptics in addition to Lyrica.

Source: Kanbayashi 2014

What are the contraindications to Lyrica?

It is recommended not to take Lyrica if :

• you are allergic or have a heightened sensitivity to pregabalin: risk of angiodema;
• as a precaution, if you are pregnant (theoretical risk of damage to the foetus);
• as a precaution, if you are breast-feeding, as pregabalin has been detected in breast milk.

Source : Cross 2022

What are the long-term effects of daily Lyrica consumption?

This question is difficult to answer, as most studies follow people taking Lyrica for only a few weeks or months.

In any case, we know that there is a risk of dependence on Lyrica, and that you should considerstopping itgradually if you’ve been taking it for months or years.

Conclusion: Is Lyrica really a dangerous drug?

Lyrica, like any substance or drug, carries a risk of side effects. The risk-benefit balance must be assessed on an individual basis:

if the benefit-risk balance of this treatment is beneficial for you, then Lyrica is not dangerous. Although it will always be worthwhile re-evaluating the benefits of taking it and considering stopping it;

if the benefit-risk balance isn’t in your favor, then yes, Lyrica is dangerous and there’s no point in taking it.

The difficult thing is to identify the balance in your case. You can’t know in advance how your body will react to Lyrica : will you be relieved of pain? Will there be any short- or long-term side-effects?

The answers to these questions are uncertain at the individual level. That’s why I’ve tried to give you as many reliable figures as possible on the side effects of Lyrica, to help you decide.

Of course, your healthcare professionals (GP, neurologist, physiotherapist, etc.) can also be good people to talk to about this!

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That’s all I wanted to say on the subject! Any questions or comments? See you in comments!