If you have a certain kind of nerve pain or seizures, your doctor may suggest a treatment like Lyrica.

Adults use a brand-name prescription drug called Lyrica.

Lyrica is also used along with other drugs to treat a specific kind of seizure in certain children.

If you and your doctor agree that the drug is safe and works well for you, it is likely that you will be treated with Lyrica for a long time.

Pregabalin is an active ingredient in Lyrica. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. You can take a capsule and a liquid solution.

For more information about Lyrica, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Mild to serious side effects can be caused by the drug Lyrica. Continue reading to learn more.

Note: Lyrica CR is another form of pregabalin (the active ingredient in Lyrica). It does not treat all of the same conditions as Lyrica and works differently in your body. This article doesn’t cover the side effects of Lyrica CR. For more information about Lyrica CR, including its side effects, talk with your doctor.

Some people may experience side effects during their treatment. Some of the reported side effects of Lyrica are listed here.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lyrica in studies. These side effects can vary depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Some people can have side effects from the drug. Mild side effects have been reported with Lyrica.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.
† To learn more, see the “Does Lyrica cause sexual side effects?” section below.

However, this list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects. To learn more about Lyrica’s side effects, view the drug’s prescribing information.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop taking Lyrica.”

Lyrica may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Lyrica, visit MedWatch.

In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects. There have been serious side effects with Lyrica.

  • Depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors are possible.
  • rhabdomyolysis is a muscle breakdown.
  • severe allergic reaction*

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lyrica, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Lyrica can cause sexual side effects in some people. This side effect was reported in studies of Lyrica, but it wasn’t common. Some people experienced impotence (not being able to get an erection). Some people had trouble having an orgasm while taking Lyrica. Some people also experienced changes in sex drive, including an increased or decreased libido.

Some sexual side effects may be linked to the effects of Lyrica. If you are concerned about sexual side effects, talk to your doctor.

Some people may experience long-term side effects. There are long-term side effects.

In most cases, long-term side effects, such as weight gain, should only last for as long as you take the drug. When you end your treatment, these side effects should ease. But certain side effects may continue after you stop taking Lyrica. Examples include Depression., anxiety, dizziness, and It is too sleepy..

If you are concerned about the long-term effects of Lyrica, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you manage any side effects that are not good, or they can help you keep them.

Get answers to questions about the side effects of Lyrica.

Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Lyrica?

Yes, you can have withdrawal symptoms when stopping Lyrica treatment. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

If you stop taking Lyrica quickly, you may have a seizure. There are other withdrawal symptoms that can occur when you stop treatment.

  • insomnia (trouble sleeping)
  • nausea
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • anxiety
  • There is a lot of diarrhea.
  • excessive sweating.

If you want to stop taking the drug, you should talk to your doctor. They can help you end your treatment. Your doctor may lower your dose over time. This can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Do older adults have a higher risk of side effects from Lyrica?

Adults ages 65 years and older taking a drug called Lyrica may have a higher risk of side effects. These may include:

Older adults may have a higher risk of side effects from Lyrica because they’re more likely to have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease. If you have kidney problems, your body may not be able to clear Lyrica effectively. (Your kidneys are responsible for removing Lyrica from your body.)

Older adults with chronic kidney problems may be prescribed a lower dose of Lyrica.

If you have questions about your risk of side effects, talk to your doctor.

How long do Lyrica’s side effects last?

Side effects from Lyrica may last a long time. The drug can cause long-term side effects.

Side effects that may last for a short time after starting treatment or having your dose increased may include There is a throbbing head., dizziness, and It is a problem of the colon.. These side effects are usually mild and typically go away on their own.

You may continue to experience side effects even after you stop taking the drug. Weight gain is an example of a long-term side effect.

There are long-term side effects of Lyrica, so learn more about them.

If you have questions about how long the side effects of Lyrica last, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Lyrica’s side effects vary depending on the strength, such as 50-mg vs. 75-mg capsules?

No, Lyrica’s side effects don’t vary based on the strength of the individual capsules you take. But you may have a higher risk of side effects if your overall dosage of Lyrica is higher. For example, dizziness is more common in people taking higher doses. (To learn more about Lyrica’s dosage, see this article.)

Your doctor may increase your dose over a few days or weeks to help manage your side effects. The effects of Lyrica can be adjusted with a small dose.

If you are concerned about your risk of side effects, talk to your doctor.

Can I take Lyrica with Cymbalta? If so, are there side effects of taking these drugs together?

Yes, you can take Lyrica with Cymbalta. For example, both Lyrica and Cymbalta treat Inflammation. and nerve pain caused by diabetes.

Lyrica and Cymbalta have some similar side effects. Taking these drugs together may raise your risk of certain side effects or make the side effects worse if you do experience them. Examples include It is too sleepy., suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and sexual side effects.

Older adults taking drugs may be at a higher risk of falling.

If you are concerned about the side effects of combining Cymbalta and Lyrica, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Some of the side effects of Lyrica can be found.

Weight gain

Some people may gain weight during their Lyrica treatment. In studies, weight gain was a common side effect reported in people taking Lyrica.

Taking higher doses of the drug could increase your risk of gaining weight.

Weight gain can also occur if you’re taking certain diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones. Combining Lyrica with thiazolidinediones can cause swelling, which can increase your weight. Examples of thiazolidinedione drugs include rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos).

This type of weight gain can cause heart failure. Before starting Lyrica, you should tell your doctor about all your drugs.

What might help

If you are concerned about weight gain during your treatment, talk to your doctor. They can suggest ways to lose weight while taking this drug.

Dizziness

Lyrica may cause dizziness. In studies, this was a common side effect of the drug. Taking a higher dose can raise your risk of dizziness.

Older adults taking the drug may be more prone to dizziness. Some people may feel sleepy with the drug.

Dizziness and It is too sleepy. caused by Lyrica can make it unsafe for some people to drive or operate machinery. Until you know how Lyrica affects you, you should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other activities that could be dangerous if you’re dizzy or not alert.

At the start of treatment, dizziness is more common. Some people may experience dizziness while others may not.

What might help

Inform your doctor about all your health conditions before you take Lyrica. This information can help your doctor decide if you should take Lyrica. Drug interactions and medical conditions can make dizziness worse with Lyrica.

If you are concerned about dizziness while taking Lyrica, talk to your doctor.

Depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Drugs that treat seizures, such as Lyrica, may cause Depression., anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

In studies, suicidal thoughts or behaviors with Lyrica were rare. But you should talk with your doctor right away if you experience new or worsening:

  • Depression.
  • suicidal thoughts
  • anxiety
  • “Is it possible that I’m Irrisponsible?”
  • The movement is called the agitation.
  • Other changes in mood.

What might help

While taking Lyrica, your doctor will monitor you for new or worsening Depression., anxiety, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. (Or call 988 if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others.)

It’s important to note that even if you experience changes in mood during your treatment, you should not stop taking Lyrica without talking with your doctor first. They can help determine whether your mood changes are from Lyrica or another cause.

If you’re concerned about your risk of Depression., anxiety, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors from Lyrica, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please seek help.

Stay with them until help arrives. If you can do it safely, you can remove weapons that can cause harm.

Stay on the phone with them until help arrives, if you are not in the same household.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Lyrica can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • blisters on the skin
  • There are bees.
  • breathing problems
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergy to Lyrica, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or breathing problems, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Lyrica, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are using a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing your notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Lyrica affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Lyrica is used along with other seizure drugs to treat a specific kind of seizure in certain children. Many of Lyrica’s side effects are expected to be the same in children as in adults. But in studies, some of Lyrica’s side effects that were reported in children were not reported in adults. These include:

“Talk to your child’s doctor about possible side effects.”

If you have certain medical conditions, you may not be a good fit for Lyrica. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether or not you should use Lyrica.

Before starting Lyrica, talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Heart failure. Lyrica can cause fluid retention and swelling, which can worsen heart failure if you already have this condition. If you’ve had heart problems, talk with your doctor about whether Lyrica is right for you.

Mood disorders. Lyrica, like other drugs used for seizures, can cause or worsen mood disorders, including Depression. and anxiety. If you have a mood disorder, talk with your doctor about whether Lyrica is right for you. In rare cases, Lyrica can cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors. To learn more about Lyrica’s effects on your mood, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Breathing problems. If you have a breathing disorder, such as respiratory failure, taking Lyrica could worsen your condition. Also, taking Lyrica with other drugs that can affect your breathing can cause respiratory Depression. (slow, shallow breathing that can be life threatening in rare cases). Drugs that cause side effects related to breathing include morphine and lorazepam (Ativan). If you have breathing problems or take other drugs that may affect your breathing, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Lyrica.

Kidney disease. Your kidneys are responsible for clearing Lyrica from your body. If you have kidney problems, your kidneys may not be able to properly eliminate Lyrica. This can raise your risk of side effects. Your doctor may check your kidney function before prescribing Lyrica. If your kidneys aren’t working well, you might need a lower dose. Before taking Lyrica, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had problems with your kidney function.

History of drug or alcohol misuse. Lyrica can cause a feeling of being “high.” If you have a history of misusing alcohol, prescription medications, or recreational drugs, talk with your doctor before taking Lyrica. Your doctor may want to closely monitor you during your Lyrica treatment. They may also prescribe a medication other than Lyrica to treat your condition.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lyrica or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lyrica. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and Lyrica

You should not drink while taking a drug. Mild or serious side effects can be caused by drinking alcohol during your treatment.

  • respiratory Depression. (slow, shallow breathing that can be life threatening in rare cases)
  • It is too sleepy.
  • dizziness

If you have concerns about avoiding alcohol during your treatment, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Lyrica

It is not known if it is safe to use Lyrica during pregnancy. This drug has not been studied during a pregnant period.

If you do take Lyrica while pregnant, consider enrolling in the pregnancy registry for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). (Lyrica belongs to a group of drugs called AEDs.) Pregnancy registries collect information about the safety of using a drug during pregnancy. This helps researchers better understand a drug’s risks if used during pregnancy. To enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, you can sign up online or call 1-888-233-2334.

If you are pregnant or considering it, tell your doctor about it. If you become pregnant while taking Lyrica, you should tell your doctor.

It is not recommended to breastfeeding while taking a drug. It is not known how this may affect a child who is breastfeeding. If you are planning to breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor.

Lyrica is a controlled substance. This means it has the potential for misuse or dependence and that the U.S. government has special regulations in place regarding the use of this drug.

Misuse refers to using a drug in a way that’s not prescribed (for example, taking more than the recommended dosage). With dependence, a person’s body becomes used to a drug and needs it to function as usual.

In studies, some people taking Lyrica reported that the drug made them feel “high.” Such feelings may raise the risk of misuse of this drug, which could lead to addiction in some cases.

Lyrica is a schedule V controlled substance. Drugs in this group have a lower potential for misuse than other controlled substances. But if you have a history of substance or alcohol misuse, you may have a higher risk of misusing Lyrica. In this case, your doctor may recommend a different treatment for your condition.

If you have questions about the drug, talk to your doctor.

If you are concerned about the side effects of Lyrica, you should talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if this drug is right for you.

Some questions about the side effects of Lyrica are included.

  • Can taking a drug make me feel high?
  • Will the drug damage my nerves?
  • Will the drug make my asthma worse?

If you have type 2 diabetes and are looking for an online community of others living with this condition, check out Bezzy T2D.

You can also sign up for Healthline’s type 2 diabetes newsletter or Inflammation. newsletter if you’re interested in news and advice for either of these conditions.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.