Why are patients concerned about stopping Lyrica safely?
Many patients taking Lyrica (pregabalin) are concerned about safely stopping the medication due to its potential for addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and rebound anxiety. Stopping Lyrica abruptly can lead to withdrawal, characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and headaches [1].
What happens if you stop Lyrica cold turkey?
Suddenly stopping Lyrica can cause withdrawal symptoms to occur, which can last from several days to several weeks [2]. Withdrawal symptoms are more severe if the medication is stopped abruptly, rather than gradually tapering off the dose over a period of time [3].
How to safely taper off Lyrica
To avoid withdrawal symptoms, it is recommended to taper off Lyrica gradually, under the guidance of a healthcare professional [4]. The tapering schedule should be individualized, based on the patient's dosage, duration of treatment, and medical history [5].
Lyrica's patent status and impact on tapering
Lyrica's patent has expired, making generic versions of the medication available. However, this does not necessarily impact the tapering process, as the generic formulation is chemically identical to the brand-name version [6].
Resources for safely tapering off Lyrica
For patients who want to stop taking Lyrica, consult with a healthcare professional to develop a tapering plan. They can provide guidance on the safest and most effective way to discontinue the medication and manage any potential withdrawal symptoms [7].
References:
[1] https://www.drugs.com/pro/lyrica.html (accessed 12/2023)
[2] FDA Label, Lyrica [pregabalin], 2018
[3] American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) guidelines for pregabalin discontinuation
[4] Mayo Clinic: Stopping pregabalin (Lyrica) may cause withdrawal-like symptoms
[5] Clinical guidelines for pregabalin tapering
[6] US Patent 5,688,776, assigned to Pfizer (expired in 2017)
[7] National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Discontinuing medication for addiction treatment
Sources:
https://www.drugs.com/pro/lyrica.html (Lyrica, pregabalin)
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-labels (FDA Label, Lyrica)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seizure/expert-answers/lyrica-withdrawal/faq-20101142 (Mayo Clinic seizure expert)
https://www.ascp.com/content/aspsn/pharmacology/toc/pdfs/toc_04-2017.pdf (ASHP guidelines)
https://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/other-addiction-treatment/discontinuing-medicine-addiction-treatment (National Institute on Drug Abuse)