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UK Crisis Grows Over Pregabalin Misuse

Pregabalin – commonly known as the brand name Lyrica -- was never intended to treat anxiety, depression or arthritis. It was originally developed as an anticonvulsant that was first approved by the FDA in 2004 as a treatment for epilepsy. Since then it has been prescribed for dozens of painful conditions such as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy, and is sometimes hailed as a “wonder drug” that is safer than opioids. Pregabalin has helped some pain patients, but for many it’s also had severe side effects such as fatigue, insomnia and cognitive decline. Margaret Heath started taking pregabalin two years ago for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and says it ruined her life.

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 Lyrica “Gets Its Claws Into Your Soul”

And Lyrica isn’t just creating problems in Australia. Gabapentinoids (a class of drugs of which Lyrica is a member) are incredibly common in the US; Lyrica itself cost Medicare $2.1 billion in 2016, as more than 850,000 Medicare beneficiaries were prescribed the drug in that year alone. When asked by reporters about the dangers of Lyrica, manufacturer Pfizer punted; the pharmaceutical giant denied ownership of the drug — despite their branding being plainly visible on Lyrica’s packaging — and passed the buck to Viatris, a company Pfizer created in 2020.

Articles of Interest

Pregabalin: What is it and why can it be dangerous?

Some call pregabalin the new Valium or "Bud" (as in Budweiser beer) because it can make users feel relaxed, in a similar way to tranquilisers or alcohol. Taking too much of it - particularly when combined with other street drugs that also have a sedative effect - can cause drowsiness and breathing problems.

Cymbalta vs. Lyrica: Differences, similarities, and which one is better for you

Cymbalta and Lyrica are both commonly prescribed to treat muscle and nerve pain. We compare them side by side, so you can decide with your doctor which option is best for you.

Gabapentin and Lyrica: Safer alternatives for pain management?

Although a much safer alternative to opioids, there are still reasons to be cautious and careful in prescribing gabapentinoids. Both gabapentin and Lyrica can be used recreationally to produce a high. The risks of abuse are higher and of greatest concern in prior opioid users. Lyrica is classified under federal law as a Schedule V drug. Gabapentin is not a controlled substance under federal law; however, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Michigan currently list gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance due to its potential for abuse. When it comes to neuropathic pain, it should be noted that the gabapentinoids are still only recommended on a limited trial basis, and not as the first option for treatment.

How Gabapentin Differs From Pregabalin

Both pregabalin and gabapentin are antiepileptic medications that bare structural resemblance to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), though neither agent has activity in GABA’s neuronal systems. Although the exact mechanism of action is somewhat unclear, the drugs’ efficacy in neuropathic pain is linked to their ability to bind to voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically to the alpha-2-delta protein. This binding decreases neurotransmitter release in the CNS as a result of reduced calcium influx through the gated channels.

Life on Lyrica: A user's perspective

When you take it, you get a feeling like euphoria. But after half an hour that feeling fades. When the drug weans out of your system, you feel depressed again. The pain can come back 10-fold. I've had hallucinations on the drug, I've had violent outbursts.

Lyrica, also known by its generic name Pregabalin, is a medication that falls under the category of controlled substances

Lyrica, also known by its generic name pregabalin, is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called anticonvulsants. It is primarily prescribed for the treatment of various conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia. However, it is important to note that Lyrica is classified as a controlled substance in some countries.

Pregabalin vs. Gabapentin: What's the Difference?

Gabapentin and pregabalin are similar drugs but differ in several distinct ways. The main differences are their indications—specific uses that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them to treat—and their dosages. Gabapentin and pregabalin are FDA-approved to treat some of the same conditions, including postherpetic neuralgia in adults.

Pregabalin, known as 'new valium', to be made class C drug after deaths

Those who use pregabalin recreationally call it “Budweiser” because it induces a state similar to drunkenness. It makes users feel relaxed and euphoric in a similar way to tranquilisers. It can also enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs, such as opiates, and is likely to increase the risks when taken in this way.

Prescription drug made my son a zombie

He had battled an addiction to Lyrica for 5 years. At 21 he was prescribed the drug after breaking his jaw. When the doctor stopped prescribing it, he bought it illegally.

The future of Pfizer’s $5bn Lyrica brand is in jeopardy

Over the past few years, Pfizer has tried using aggressive strategies to extend its flagship brand Lyrica's lifecycle and protect it from generic competition.

Resources

PubChem

Pregabalin is structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It may be used to manage neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia among other conditions. Although as per the FDA Label the mechanism of action has not been definitively characterized, there is evidence that pregabalin exerts its effects by binding to the α2δ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels.