Is Lyrica a Narcotic?: An Overview of Its Uses and Side Effects
Living with chronic pain and nerve disorders can be draining and challenging. Fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders are all treated by physicians to reduce the pain of the conditions. Medication is used in several different ways to combat the conditions.
Billions of people take Lyrica for their debilitating disorders. Unfortunately, many of these people fall into the cycle of addiction. If you have fallen into this cycle, drug addiction programs are an effective way to recover and end repeated abuse.
Is Lyrica a Narcotic (Opioid Drug)?
Lyrica is a drug often prescribed to treat nerve pain and fibromyalgia. It can also help treat anxiety disorders, seizures, and restless leg syndrome. Lyrica works by affecting the way that nerves send signals throughout the brain. This act can help to relieve pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia.
Lyrica is a prescription drug that belongs to a class of medications rated as having the lowest potential for abuse because it isn’t a narcotic, even though it does produce similar effects. People with a history of alcohol or drug abuse are at a greater risk of abusing Lyrica and people who have experienced physical and psychological dependence.
Lyrica is a brand of the drug, not a bad word. Lyrica is part of a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, which attenuate the number of pain signals that damaged nerves send out. I take Lyrica as a capsule or tablet twice daily.
How Does Lyrica Work?
Lyrica was created to treat nerve pain, which works by encouraging brain chemicals to alter the way they communicate with each other. Research suggests that Lyrica helps block muscle and nerve pain by interfering with the pain signals that travel between the brain and the spine, especially the areas of the brain that control communication between nerve cells.
The medication helps calm down some of the overly sensitive nerve cells. This decrease in sensitivity helps alleviate some of the nerve pain associated with the conditions that Lyrica treats.
As an epilepsy treatment, it is believed to cut down some of the brain’s abnormal electrical activity that can trigger seizures by reducing some of its abnormal electrical activity. As an anxiety treatment, it’s thought to reduce the brain’s release of certain chemicals, resulting in a decrease in anxious feelings.
What Is Lyrica Used for?
Here are two conditions where Lyrica is used:
- Fibromyalgia
Lyrica is FDA-approved for use in fibromyalgia patients, but you should know a few things before taking it. First, no medication works well for fibromyalgia. The first place to start with treating fibromyalgia is by making lifestyle changes. This includes creating an exercise program with stretching and strengthening components and finding a sleep hygiene routine that prevents fibromyalgia symptoms like mood or sleep disorders.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. It is often treated with amitriptyline, which treats nerve pain and depression. Some patients cannot take this medication due to its side effects or other reasons. In these instances, Lyrica may be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia.
One of the few studies on treating fibromyalgia with Lyrica found that dosing 75 milligrams (mg) twice a day worked and dosing 150 mg twice a day. Both groups were followed for six months and had similar side effects, but taking more than 150 mg twice a day did not add any benefits and caused more side effects.
- Nerve Pain
The FDA approves Lyrica to treat nerve pain from certain conditions. A nervous system disease or disorder can cause nerve pain, which feels like a burning sensation, a tingling sensation, or even a feeling of numbness.
Nerve pain is a common issue for people with diabetic neuropathy, a disorder caused by damage to nerves in the hands or feet due to diabetes. Nerve damage can cause severe pain that persists long after the original injury heals, and Lyrica is sometimes prescribed for the persistent pain.
Studies show that the most effective dose for nerve pain is 300 mg spread out over the day. Doctors usually prescribe a 50 mg pill three times per day for patients suffering from nerve pain. The dosage can be increased if needed, but above 300 mg per day, there isn’t any extra benefit, and side effects become worse.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Lyrica?
Higher doses of Lyrica mean more side effects. Dizziness and drowsiness are the most common, occurring in up to 45 percent and 36 percent of patients. These side effects get worse with higher doses. Here are the common side effects of Lyrica:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Headache
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Constipation
However, a patient may also suffer severe effects from this drug. Contact a professional if any of the following side effects occur:
- Sudden changes in mood, unusual moods or behavior including extreme unhappiness or depression, suicidal attempts or ideation
- Tremors
- Allergic reactions (itching, hives, swelling, chest tightness, trouble breathing)
- Swelling
- Severe dizziness or drowsiness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
- Blurred vision
- Sore throat
- Signs of kidney problems (like a change in the amount of urine)
- Blisters, peeling, red skin rash
- Body aches
- Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- Rapid weight gain
What Are the Dangers of Lyrica Addiction?
When someone abuses Lyrica, the drug causes feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and calmness. Some describe the sensation of a Lyrica high as feeling like being drunk, earning the nickname Budweiser. Some users may drink alcohol while on Lyrica, increasing the risks of feeling dizzy, having trouble concentrating, and becoming sleepy.
When abusers swallow a larger amount of Lyrica than the drug is intended for or without a prescription, they abuse the drug. Lyrica abusers may also cut open pills they’ve stolen and snort the contents. When combined with other drugs, like Opiates, the euphoric effects are increased, but so are the feelings of sleepiness and dizziness. Mixing Lyrica with other medications can lead to an overdose if the doses are too high.
Lyrica has a low risk of physical dependence, but addiction may be possible with the habitual use of this drug. Mixing it with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor may cause a reaction that includes swelling and hives, while mixing Lyrica with diuretics may cause swelling and weight gain.
This drug is considered relatively safe in America, with only minimal potential for abuse. However, many countries are experiencing an increase in addictions and abuse. Taking Lyrica exactly as instructed — even under a doctor’s supervision — can lead to tolerance and dependence on the drug. As soon as a person stops taking the drug abruptly, his body will go into withdrawal, which can be debilitating.
Lyrica users who have a history of substance misuse are at greater risk of becoming addicted to the drug. These people experience similar responses to those caused by Valium in their brain chemistry. Before prescribing Lyrica to any patient, it is essential to take a thorough medical history and consider the risks of developing a Lyrica addiction.
Conclusion
Lyrica is a prescription medication that effectively treats nerve pain and seizures. The drug comes with a long list of side effects, and physical dependence may develop if the drug is taken as directed. If you have questions or concerns about Lyrica, talk to your doctor to discuss possible alternatives.