Brief Answer:
You may require additional titration of this medication

Detailed Answer:
I've read your query as well as responses given by other consultants on this network and will focus the attention of this answer to your question about the dosing of LYRICA.

The first thing to note in your case is that the most QUALIFIED and RELIABLE source of information to your question is the individual who PRESCRIBED the medication for you since they know your full history of the problem at hand, other comorbid conditions you may have that could dictate dosing adjustments (e.g. kidney problems or reductions in renal function for some reason), other medications you are taking which could potentially interact, and what other contingency plans are available in case this medication fails to improve your situation or for some other reason needs to be stopped.

Have mentioned the foregoing I will tell you that the manufacturer's recommendation on PREGABALIN is that it be increased by doubling the dose on a weekly basis to either a therapeutic effect OR reaching a ceiling limit of 300mg. twice daily.

The initial starting dose is usually taken to be 75mg. twice daily which after 1 week is escalated to 150mg. twice daily. This can then, be increased to 300mg. twice daily 1 week later if necessary. In practice the speed of titration this medication can be much slower since people can respond satisfactorily to much lower doses. So for example, in my clinic I will usually advise patients to only raise LYRICA by 1 DOSE at a time on a weekly or biweekly basis. Often 1 week after a change is not enough to gauge the medication's efficacy and therefore, by taking this approach it is possible that patients could achieve a therapeutic dose over a few weeks time without necessarily hitting the maximum dosing ceiling and we can then, sustain them within a therapeutic window at a significantly LOWER overall dose than if we were to simply double the dose weekly as the manufacturer suggests. We also can catch side effects more easily if the titration is a bit more deliberate and protracted.

The drug is designed to be taken TWICE DAILY which answers your question on frequency. However, again, there is some discretion in this parameter since a clinician may find a reason to wish to dose the drug either more or less frequently depending on the outcome of the patient with the medication and other circumstances. I have given patients this drug up to 3x daily and I have given this medication once daily due to the specific patient responses to both its efficacy as well as intensity of side effects that prevent them from being able to drive cars, work productively on the job, or take care of themselves/families.

In conclusion, if you are currently at 200mg. twice daily of your LYRICA and you've been on this dose for 2 weeks the next step (if your symptoms have not been satisfactorily treated) would be to raise the dose to 300mg. twice daily. This is according to the manufacturer. They would suggest that your doctor also keep track of symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, sleeping problems, mood changes, or fatigue, and to be vigilant of how your kidneys are performing while on this drug.

You may find use from the following link on PREGABALIN as it answers many common questions about dosing and other things you should be aware of when taking the medication.

https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/lyrica-capsules

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This query has utilized 28 min. of research and response time on behalf of this patient.

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