Is It Possible To Only Take Pregabalin/ Lyrica At Night

Posted on Tue, 24 Nov 2020

Question: Is it possible to only take pregabalin/lyrica at night without it messing me up? I have been taking 50mgs at night for almost a week. Here's my situation:

I decided I wanted to discontinue the .25 mgs clonazpeam that I've been taking at night for 10 yrs, thinking it may be causing increased depression, especially in the morning. Klonopin helps me not have night terrors and somewhat offsets some side effects I have from celexa (10 mgs at night) and Lamictal (100mgs during the day). I had tried taking pregabalin during the day but it made me tired and confused so I thought I'd use it instead of klonopin.

I IMMEDIATELY felt a nice increase in mood, less anger, more openness the first morning after taking 50mgs of pregabalin instead of klonopin. The daytime confusion/memory problems wasn't terrible at first but it feels like it's actually getting worse AND it lasts throughout the day. The positive effects are still there but I tend to get some hand numbness and sweatiness symptoms later in the day, as well as occasional other weird symptoms like body pains.

I already take a very low dose of Lamictal because of the cognitive problems it gives me, could they be causing this degree of confusion synergistically, even at a low dose?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can take pregabalin (prescription drug)

Detailed Answer:
Hello
I can understand your concerns.
There are no significant interactions between lamotrigine and pregabalin at low doses.
It better to take pregabalin at night as daytime dosing can cause drowsiness and confusion.

Please do not stop celexa (night dose) if you are currently taking it. Pregabalin alone might not adequately cover the anti-anxiety/antidepressant effects of celexa.

Please discuss this with your treating doctor.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (11 hours later)

Thank you. In the lyrica literature it says "do not wait longer than 12 hours between doses" so I think some of the sedation/side effects may be coming from a withdrawal from the nightly dose?

I can't imagine I should feel so "stoned" from only 50mgs at night.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
In my opinion, there should not be a drug withdrawal by just missing single dose or giving a gap of 24 hours between doses.

It may your anxiety causing such feelings/symptoms.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (14 hours later)

Ok. I will see if the dizziness and confusion dissipates at the current dose. It feels identical to the confusion and cognitive problems I had when taking gabapentin.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (39 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Both cause confusion

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Both drugs can cause confusion and dizziness.
The effect may vary from person to person.

Hope pregabalin suits you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (4 days later)

At 75mgs I began having trouble driving safely, forgetting where I am, and doing any task that requires much brain functioning. I can't tell weather it gets better or worse when I take my Lamictal (100 mg/day). I decided to begin weaning off Sunday. Is pregabalin the kind of drug where adverse effects decrease as dose increases?

I fear I have developed a sensitivity to this class of drug. I responded similarly to gabapentin.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pregabalin can cause such side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It's unfortunate that you developed such side effects with this drug. The side effects of pregabalin will increase with the dose. As you are not tolerating this dose, there is no benefit to increase the dose.

Lamotrigine does not have such effects.

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj