Everything You Know About Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Pregabalin's a great prescription to stop seizures. You want this one in your corner, men! You'll often see it as Lyrica, but that's not the only kind! Men, you've got a choice. Take it as an extended-release tablet or a capsule. It's even out there in a liquid solution! But hold your horses. It's a controlled substance, so there's a risk of dependency. Men, you can resist this! Your doc's going to monitor you if they prescribe it. Between you and them, you'll stay safe!

Many, many men take this med as part of their epilepsy treatment. It's a huge one! Obviously, there are other medications for seizures it'll appear with. Don't forget about those! Men, this is a huge fibromyalgia treatment. It's one of the only meds for fibromyalgia out there! It's a great medication for diabetic nerve pain too! Of course, you've got to understand pregabalin before taking it.

How It Works

Men, you already know it. Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant! This is the med class that's going to stop seizures! This med will treat nerve problems too! It's very, very effective. So effective! But men, research isn't all too clear on how! Most think it's because it can calm electrical pulses from your nerves. That means less pain! It'll stop abnormal electrical pulses in epilepsy too. You won't deal with as many seizures that way!

Men, nerve pain doesn't stand a chance. This med also works to disrupt pain signals! It'll stop these messages along your spine or in your brain. It means the signals won't cause you any pain! This med even works on some anxiety disorder too. It won't let your brain make the chemicals that make you anxious! Win. It'll really start working in a few weeks.

The Best Uses

Yes, you already heard it. Men, pregabalin is great for making sure seizures don't happen if you've got epilepsy. They stop the electrical activity from flooding your brain! You can rest easy with this fighter in your corner. And if you have fibromyalgia. Yes, this med is approved for that too! It's actually one of the only ones. Say goodbye to the pain and fatigue from that condition. Get ready to rise again!

Nerve pain and damage are going to be mere memories with this med, men. Many, many men with diabetic nerve pain take this one. Yes, nerve damage from herpes zoster doesn't stand a chance either. You guessed it! Expect to see this med treat partial-onset seizures too. And 'off-label?' Men, it'll stop many anxiety disorders!

Side Effects

Men, this med causes side effects. It's just like any other! The first weeks have the most, obviously. So obvious! Men, you'll feel dizzy. Blurry vision and sleepiness are common at first too! Avoid driving until you adjust. Avoid it! Your cognition and motor skills are affected too, men. Watch out for this! You'll also get side effects like dry mouth, weight gain, and concentration problems. Swelling in the feet and hands is so common too. So common! The good news? These side effects are mild. Nothing you can't handle!

Hold your horses, though. Men, there are serious side effects too! Some men have huge allergic reactions to this. So huge! They'll see a rash, breathing problems, and more swelling. Heart problems are a severe effect too. Men, watch for chest pain, obviously, but even worse swelling too! Other emergency level effects? They are mood swings, irritability, and suicidal thoughts. Call your doc right away and head to emerg!

Precautions

You need to take a step back, men. Take precautions! This med is effective, but it's so powerful. Get an allergic reaction? Remember to call your doc right away! There's more, though. Men, you can't drink alcohol when you're on this med. It'll make your risk of dizziness and drowsiness much higher. So much higher! And if you need this med but have kidney problems? You need a lower dose! Your kidneys can't clear it as well, so an average dose means more side effects.

Heart conditions may make this med unsafe, men. They'll make your heart condition worse. So much worse! Sad. Your doc has your back, though. They'll find you something that works. And if you have a mental health issue? Men, you can still take it! You can. But you'll need an extra eye. Your doc needs to keep that extra eye on you. It's the mood side effects that do it! You'll need lots of monitoring anyway, men, but you knew that. Pregabalin's a controlled substance, after all. Many, many men misuse it!

Med Interactions

Every man knows the meds he takes, right? Of course! Men, you've got to have a list of them! Your doc needs to know about everything. Prescription meds, supplements, vitamins...everything! This list is going to help you. How? Your doc checks it before giving you pregabalin. It stops med interactions! Yes, there are some of them with pregabalin! Diabetes meds like pioglitazone can cause interactions. You're more likely to see side effects if you take both. They'll be much stronger too! Examples of what you'll see, men, are clearly more weight gain and swelling!

Narcotics interact with this med too. Same with some anxiety meds! Men, you'll see your dizziness and fatigue increase a lot. A lot! Blood pressure meds, like lisinopril, cause their own interactions. They'll trigger hives and swelling! So be ready with that list, men!