Is it safe to take Lyrica (pregabalin) after drinking wine?
Lyrica (pregabalin) can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and slowed reaction time. Alcohol (including wine) can also cause sedation and impair coordination. Using them together can make these effects stronger, which increases the risk of falls and accidents. [1]
What can happen if you mix Lyrica and alcohol?
Combining Lyrica and wine may lead to:
- More sleepiness and dizziness
- Trouble staying awake or thinking clearly
- Poor balance or coordination (higher fall risk)
- Slower breathing in some people, especially with higher doses or other sedating medicines [1]
When would it be riskier?
The risk is higher if you:
- Take Lyrica at a higher dose or your first days on the medication
- Have breathing problems (like COPD or sleep apnea)
- Take other medicines that sedate you (opioid pain medicines, some anxiety meds, sleep meds, antihistamines, etc.) [1]
What should you do right now?
If you drank wine and already took (or plan to take) Lyrica:
- Avoid driving or operating machinery.
- Don’t take extra doses.
- Consider waiting and follow your prescriber’s instructions about alcohol use.
- If you feel unusually hard to wake, very confused, have trouble breathing, or can’t stay awake, seek urgent medical help. [1]
Talk to your prescriber/pharmacist
Because your dose, your history, and any other medications matter, the safest answer depends on your situation. Your pharmacist can tell you how to time doses around alcohol based on your prescription.
Sources:
[1] MedlinePlus: Pregabalin (Lyrica) information — https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611021.html