Can you drink alcohol while taking Lyrica (pregabalin)?
No amount of alcohol is considered “safe” while you’re on Lyrica. Alcohol and pregabalin both depress the central nervous system, so combining them can increase side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and impaired coordination. Those effects can be dangerous for activities like driving or operating machinery [1].
What are the biggest risks if you drink on Lyrica?
People commonly report increased impairment when alcohol is mixed with Lyrica, which can raise the risk of falls, accidents, and injuries. Alcohol can also worsen “too much sedation” effects, such as feeling excessively sleepy or lightheaded [1].
Does the risk depend on the dose or your health?
Yes. The risk is higher with larger doses of Lyrica and with other medicines that cause sedation. It can also be higher if you have conditions that affect breathing or if you have a history of substance use disorder—both because of the higher chance of dangerous sedation or misuse [1].
What’s a safer alternative?
The safest approach is to avoid alcohol during Lyrica treatment. If you’re unsure, talk with the prescriber or pharmacist about whether any limited use might be appropriate for your situation, based on your dose and other medications [1].
What should you do if you already drank or want to try “just a little”?
If you’ve had alcohol and you feel unusually sleepy, dizzy, confused, or unsteady, don’t drive and don’t take more Lyrica until you can speak with a clinician. Seek urgent help if you have severe drowsiness, trouble staying awake, slow or difficult breathing, or fainting.
Source
[1] FDA prescribing information for Lyrica (pregabalin) – warnings about CNS depression and alcohol: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/