Pregabalin is a medication used to treat anxiety and epilepsy. Pregabalin is also known as generic Lyrica. The drug is effective for pain caused by fibromyalgia and for nerve pain in people with diabetes, spinal cord injuries, herpes zoster, and other neuropathic pain when prescribed by a doctor.
Lyrica for anxiety
Treatment of anxiety with generic Lyrica in clinical trials has shown improvements in both mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety, restlessness, and tension decreased by more than 50% after 4-6 weeks. For anxiety disorder, large doses of the drug as prescribed by the treating physician are considered effective.
Pharmacokinetics
When taken on an empty stomach, the drug is quickly absorbed, and the maximum concentration in the blood is reached within an hour. The drug is eliminated almost unchanged, the elimination half-life is 6.3 hours.
Lyrica: Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of pregabalin consists of binding to an additional subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the CNS, where gabapentin is irreversibly substituted. This binding presumably provides antinociceptive and anticonvulsant effects.
Is Lyrica an opioid?
Generic Lyrica is neither an opioid nor a narcotic. It is a prescription medication, an anticonvulsant that is prescribed to suppress certain types of nerve pain.
Lyrica vs Gabapentin
Generic Lyrica (Pregabalin) and Gabapentin have different side effects. Pregabalin most commonly causes dry mouth, constipation, edema, and weight gain. Gabapentin causes side effects such as difficulty speaking, fever, and convulsions.
Lyrica is absorbed faster and also begins its effects faster, so it may be more effective than Gabapentin in some cases. The maximum concentration of Gabapentin is reached in 3-4 hours, while MC of Pregabalin is an hour. It is because of the faster absorption that Pregabalin is thought to be more quickly addictive.
Although the drugs are similar, they are not interchangeable. You should not switch from pregabalin to gabapentin without a doctor's prescription. It is convenient and easy to buy Lyrica online if you cannot find the drug in your pharmacy.
How to use Lyrica?
The dosage range is 150-600 mg/day. Usually, the dose is divided into 2-3 doses. Treatment with generic Lyrica begins with 150 mg, depending on the effectiveness and individual characteristics of the body, the dose can increase after the first week of use.
Patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency, as well as the elderly and children, require a dose adjustment as prescribed by the attending physician.
Side effects
Common side effects include:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- headache
- increased appetite
- confusion, euphoria, decreased libido
- impairment of attention, memory, speech
- insomnia, fatigue, lethargy
- blurred vision
- dry mouth, constipation, nausea
- weight gain.
Does Lyrica cause weight gain?
Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of pregabalin (generic Lyrica). This symptom is observed in adults and children. In studies, the weight of patients increased by about 7% after starting to take Lyrica for 14 weeks.
Lyrica: weight gain
Causes of weight gain while taking pregabalin are increased appetite and fluid retention in the body (frequent swelling of hands, feet, and legs). Also, weight gain can be associated with higher doses and prolonged intake.
To avoid excessive weight gain while taking Lyrica it is necessary to consult a GP to reduce the dose if possible, add physical activity to daily life, and control appetite.
Interactions
Since pregabalin is eliminated from the body almost unchanged and undergoes little metabolism, it is compatible with most medications.
It is not recommended to use alcohol with generic Lyrica, because pregabalin enhances the effects of ethanol and increases alcohol intoxication. If ingestion of the drug with alcohol has already occurred, it is recommended to take a sorbent.
It is not worth taking drugs affecting the CNS. The effect of Lorazepam is enhanced by pregabalin. The drug also enhances motor and cognitive functions caused by oxycodone.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose are severe restlessness, confusion, drowsiness, and occasionally coma. Treatment consists of general supportive measures of the body, in severe cases, hemodialysis may be required. Do not exceed the dose of 600 mg/day.
Contraindications
Contraindications to taking generic Lyrica (Pregabalin) are hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients. In case of a hypersensitivity reaction, which is manifested by angioneurotic edema, it is necessary to immediately stop taking the medicine and consult a physician.
Lyrica 75 mg: price
Lyrica online in Mexican pharmacy has an affordable price. It is convenient to buy Lyrica online when ordering several packs of the drug at once or with other medicines. You can stock up on a full course of treatment or combine your purchase with people nearby who are also interested in medicine, then the delivery price will be much more favorable.
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