Lyrica , also known as pregabalin, is a drug made for the treatment of seizures in epilepsy. This drug is made to work by restricting nerve impulses that induce seizures. It can also inhibit pain by suppressing pain signal transmissions by the nerves. Pain experienced by people who have neuropathy and fibromyalgia is considerably amplified. Pain arises from the nerve changes that take place, making them more sensitive to pain reception and transmission.
How this drug relieves fibromyalgia pain is still in a grey area. However, it has been seen among several patients that after taking Lyrica, they become more comfortable. Lyrica works for both fibromyalgia and neuropathy. This drug is reported to have a better end point and can also be used to treat restless legs syndrome RLS. For safety reasons, people who have any of the following conditions should prohibit its use:.
Suicidal thoughts are very common while taking this medication. Moreover, make sure to keep track of any unusual mood changes during the initial stages of treatment or when the dose is altered. Any set appointments to your doctor should be met promptly to properly assess your recovery and to ensure everything is on the right track.
The effect of Lyrica to an unborn baby is still unclear. It is important to note that Lyrica should only be prescribed in pregnant women when there are no other alternative medications available and when the benefits of taking Lyrica outweigh the risks involved. Lyrica can be excreted in the mother's milk while breastfeeding, but the effects on the nursing baby are still unknown. You can take Lyrica while breastfeeding but must be according to your doctor's assessment and recommendation.
However, an alternative drug may be prescribed, especially when you are nursing a newborn or a premature baby.
The dose must not be modified without consulting your doctor first. Neuropathy is the result of peripheral nerve damage that causes numbness, pain, or weakness in your upper or lower limbs.
Aside from your hands and feet, peripheral neuropathy can also affect your face, mouth, and internal organs. The peripheral nervous system relays important impulses required for physical sensations. Damage in the nervous system due to injury or other causes can result in peripheral neuropathy. Such conditions can cause abnormal functioning of the nerves. Nerve malfunctioning may also due to:. These disorders can be overwhelming. Nonetheless, treatment is available and can give much relief.
It is quite important to know the root cause of peripheral neuropathy to understand your condition better. Peripheral neuropathy can affect a single nerve cell or all classes of nerves. The following are details of the warning signs of peripheral neuropathy:. A comprehensive examination should be done as most of these symptoms overlap with those of other complications or diseases.
Instances of peripheral neuropathy are more common if there were other previous cases reported in your family history. Some other causes of peripheral neuropathy may also be in play, which includes:. Diabetes is the most diagnosed cause of peripheral neuropathy. After its development, there is numbness and a loss of sensation in the limbs. Peripheral neuropathy is more frequent in the following individuals:. Severe trauma is one of the most common causes of nerve damage.
Trauma can be in the form of accidents, fractures, or even remaining still in one position for an extended period of time. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a good example of peripheral neuropathy. This disorder is caused when the carpal tunnel is crushed or compressed resulting in damage to the median nerve. List of Partners vendors. Lyrica pregabalin is a drug used to treat the pain of fibromyalgia.
In addition, it's FDA approved for use in diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia shingles. It's also an anti-seizure medication. The FDA approved Lyrica for fibromyalgia in June , making it the first drug ever approved for this condition.
Lyrica is now one of three FDA-approved fibromyalgia drugs and is the only one that isn't classified as an antidepressant. The other medications are Cymbalta duloxetine and Savella milnacipran.
Fibromyalgia is believed to involve over-active nerves and dysregulation of neurotransmitters chemical messengers that transmit messages, including pain signals, between brain cells. Scientists don't understand exactly how Lyrica improves fibromyalgia symptoms. However, the drug is believed to slow down certain impulses in the brain and stop over-active nerves from misfiring.
It also may affect the way certain neurotransmitters function. Although it's been approved for several years, research has continued on Lyrica as a fibromyalgia treatment. Of course, for it to be FDA approved, numerous clinical trials had to show that it could provide significant improvements in fibromyalgia pain , fatigue, and quality of life. However, Lyrica doesn't work for everyone with fibromyalgia. Some research suggests that the three FDA-approved fibromyalgia drugs—Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella—are all about equally effective.
Combining two drugs may be more beneficial, though. A study published in the journal Pain suggests that combining Lyrica and Cymbalta may be more effective than either drug on its own, and the authors urged more research into combined treatments. The usual dose of Lyrica for fibromyalgia is mg to mg per day, split between two or three doses. Generally, healthcare providers recommend starting at a low dosage, such as 75 mg twice a day, and working up gradually to a larger dose.
If you decide to go off of Lyrica, talk to your practitioner about the proper way to wean off. It's dangerous to stop taking Lyrica suddenly.
The list of possible side effects is long. Some are serious enough that you should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have them. They include:. Lyrics are often prescribed an extended-release tablet. Therefore, you should not crush or break the pill. This could lead to an overdose of the medication. If you forget to take the medication after your evening meal, you can take it at bedtime with a snack.
If you forget to take it in the evening, you can take it in the morning. According to WebMD , if you are taking the immediate-release tablet, you are likely to be prescribed the medication two or three times per day.
If you are using this type of Lyrica, measure the dosage using a specialized measuring spoon rather than a household spoon. According to RX List , it can cause side effects. Often, the side effects are relatively mild.
However, more serious side effects can occur. Here are some potentially serious side effects of Lyrica:. Lyrica interacts with certain medications as well as alcohol. If Lyrica is combined with alcohol, it can depress the central nervous system to the point of preventing normal heart rate and respiration.
This can be fatal in some cases. Also, Lyrica interacts with other central nervous system depressants, such as benzodiazepines.
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