Lyrica (pregabalin) is widely prescribed for its ability to calm overactive nerves, making it an effective treatment for various conditions, including nerve pain, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and anxiety. While it provides relief for many, prolonged use can lead to physical dependence, making withdrawal a challenging process for those who stop taking it.
As a drug classified under anticonvulsants, fibromyalgia agents, and GABA analogs, Lyrica works by slowing down nerve activity, which helps manage pain and neurological disorders. However, when the body becomes accustomed to its effects, suddenly discontinuing the medication can trigger withdrawal symptoms. Understanding these symptoms, their causes, and available treatment options is essential for safely managing withdrawal and achieving long-term recovery.
While Lyrica isn’t an opioid, some studies have found that those who’ve struggled with opioid abuse may opt to take Lyrica for its calming and euphoric effects when used in high doses. It also has greater potential for addiction when someone takes it who’s struggled with a previous substance use disorder (SUD). However, anyone who takes it can build tolerance and dependence if it’s taken for too long or in excessive doses.
When someone struggles with Lyrica addiction, they’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. How do you treat Lyrica withdrawal? The rest of this article will guide you on how to stop taking Lyrica and treatment for Lyrica withdrawal.
Causes of Lyrica Withdrawal
When someone takes Lyrica, it slows down overactive nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). This effect is why it’s useful to treat nerve pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia and shingles.
However, Lyrica is also commonly abused recreationally since these calming effects can create a euphoric high when it’s taken in large doses. When someone struggles with Lyrica addiction or takes the drug for an extended time, it’s much more likely they’ll become dependent on it and will have physical or mental withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop taking it.
Withdrawal happens because your mind and body get used to having the drug in your system. For example, with Lyrica, it’ll suppress the production of key hormones like GABA and glutamate, which influence things like mood and cognitive function.
Without the drug, your mind has to readjust and doesn’t know how to respond, so you may experience Lyrica withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, shaking, or strong cravings for the drug.
Some case studies have also found that pregabalin withdrawal doesn’t just happen when someone struggles with addiction. It can also happen when patients are taking it for normal medical use and suddenly stop using it. Therefore, it’s essential to properly taper off it to ensure safety and comfort when stopping the medication.
Common Lyrica Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms of Lyrica withdrawal can be physical, psychological, and neurological. Let’s review the symptoms in each category so you know what to expect after stopping the medication.
Physical symptoms often include excessive sweating, shaking, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and muscle pain. Some individuals may also experience an increased heart rate, stomach pain, diarrhea, and general discomfort as their body adjusts to the absence of the medication.
Psychological symptoms can be equally distressing, with mood swings, anxiety, agitation, and depression being common. Many individuals report heightened irritability, and in severe cases, withdrawal can lead to suicidal thoughts, making professional support crucial during this process.
Neurological symptoms such as insomnia, confusion, and tremors can further complicate withdrawal. In some cases, individuals may experience hallucinations or delusions, and those with a history of seizures face an increased risk of convulsions. Given these potential complications, seeking medical supervision can ensure a safer and more manageable withdrawal experience.
Lyrica Withdrawal Timeline
Lyrica withdrawal usually lasts for about 1-2 weeks. However, some lingering symptoms can persist for weeks or months afterward. That’s why longer-term treatment for addiction is often recommended to get the best results.
While the Lyrica withdrawal timeline can differ from person to person based on individual factors, here’s a general overview to know what to expect:
- First 24-48 hours after stopping use: Some early symptoms of withdrawal will start setting in after 1-2 days of stopping Lyrica. Those can include anxiety, insomnia, and nausea. It’s also common to begin experiencing light drug cravings.
- 3-5 days after stopping Lyrica: The most intense symptoms usually happen during this timeframe. That can include intense cravings, depression, and extreme body discomfort like muscle aches and stomach pain. It’s also important to watch for any severe symptoms like seizures, significantly increased heart rate, or suicidal thoughts that would require immediate attention.
- 7-14 days after stopping Lyrica: The symptoms will gradually subside after 1-2 weeks of stopping the medication. However, some lingering fatigue, anxiety, depression, or cravings may persist and still require proper management to prevent relapse and ensure a full recovery.
- Beyond 2 weeks: Some people may experience light, ongoing withdrawal symptoms for several weeks or months after stopping the drug. It’s important to manage these symptoms accordingly to achieve the best results during addiction treatment.
Risks & Complications of Lyrica Withdrawal
One of the most significant risks of withdrawing from Lyrica is that it can cause serious symptoms like seizures.
Seizures are most common when someone is taking the medication for epilepsy. However, there have been case studies where someone taking the drug for other medical uses also experienced seizures.
For instance, a case study in 2017 mentioned a woman who was taking pregabalin for diabetes. She stopped the medication suddenly and experienced seizures 4 days later. Doctors had her start retaking the medication at a lower dose and properly tapered her off it, and the seizures subsided.
Other serious symptoms like suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, or an extremely high heart rate can also occur and would require immediate medical attention.
It’s usually recommended to taper off the medication to reduce withdrawal symptoms and seek a medical Lyrica detox that provides around-the-clock medical support for comfort and safety.
Treatment & Support for Lyrica Withdrawal
Several treatment options are available to help with Lyrica withdrawal symptoms and make the process as safe as possible.
Starting with adrug detox is recommended so you have 24/7 support from doctors and a treatment staff in case any serious side effects happen. Doctors at a treatment center can also help you taper off the medication to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
After detox, it’s often recommended to complete a full residential or outpatient treatment program.
Residential care allows you to live at the treatment facility for a period of time. It provides a controlled and supportive environment so you can focus on recovery.
Outpatient care allows a more flexible approach where you continue living at home and return to the facility for regular treatment sessions. It’s a great fit for those with less severe addictions or who don’t want to give up work or family responsibilities, but it does require more accountability.
Both inpatient and outpatient care involve treatment options like attending behavioral therapy, group therapy, and building life skills to cope with the stresses of life without using drugs or alcohol.
How United Recovery Project Can Help Treat Lyrica Withdrawal & Addiction
United Recovery Project is a drug and alcohol treatment center that can help manage Lyrica withdrawal and addiction.
When you work with us, our knowledgeable and friendly treatment staff will support you every step of the way. We’ll help you create a personalized plan for success by designing medical detox, inpatient treatment, or outpatient treatment programs that best suit your needs.
You can schedule a free consultation or ask any other questions about our treatment options. Contact us through our contact page or by calling 888-960-5121.
References
- “Pregabalin Abuse among Patients with Opioid Use Disorders May Increase the Severity of Withdrawal Symptoms: A Single-Center, Case-Control Study.” https://psychiatry-psychopharmacology.com/en/pregabalin-abuse-among-patients-with-opioid-use-disorders-may-increase-the-severity-of-withdrawal-symptoms-a-single-center-case-control-study-13438
- Finnerup, Nanna. “Clinical Use of Pregabalin in the Management of Central Neuropathic Pain.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, vol. Volume 3, Jan. 2008, pp. 885–891, doi:10.2147/ndt.s1715. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2656330/
- Ishikawa, Hayahito, et al. “Pregabalin Withdrawal in Patients without Psychiatric Disorders Taking a Regular Dose of Pregabalin: A Case Series and Literature Review.” Neuropsychopharmacology Reports, vol. 41, no. 3, 12 Aug. 2021, pp. 434–439, doi:10.1002/npr2.12195. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8411313/
- Du, Yang Timothy, et al. “Seizure Induced by Sudden Cessation of Pregabalin in a Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease.” BMJ Case Reports, 3 May 2017, p. bcr-2016-219158, doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-219158. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5747663/
