Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

How To Withdraw From Lyrica?

My 80 yr old, 115 lb mother is having having extreme side effects from taking Lyrica. Extreme extreme weakness, can barely stand and is hunched over, extreme mood change, inconsolable sadness and anger, blurred vision and dizziness. She has been on Lyrica for 5 weeks and these symptoms are getting worse, not better. The neurologist treating her has been an unresponsive caretaker, and at the last visit suggested she not read the package inserts. Obviously we need to find her a new doctor. But meanwhile, I am wondering how fast one can be weaned off Lyrica? We ve gone from 5 tabs to 3, but her side effects will not abate. Thus far, Neurontin did not provide pain relief for her trigeminal neuralgia, Carbmazopine, worked for 1.5 weeks, until she mounted an allergic reaction to it. What med to try next?
posted on Fri, 9 Sep 2016
Twitter Fri, 13 Sep 2019 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 25 Sep 2019 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Lyrica should always be tapered slowly. This should be done under a doctor or a detox center. The withdrawal symptoms should be monitored in time so that the patient is comfortable.

As Lyrica is tapered the patient will have withdrawal symptoms which need to be treated urgently for successful withdrawal. It is very difficult to manage it at home.

Acute withdrawal symptoms (seizures, insomnia, gastrointestinal symptoms) manifest for at least 2-3 days after Lyrica has been fully stopped.

The patient is managed with medicines. The patient is taught & counseled to help relapse prevention.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Nupur K, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
How To Withdraw From Lyrica?

Hello, Lyrica should always be tapered slowly. This should be done under a doctor or a detox center. The withdrawal symptoms should be monitored in time so that the patient is comfortable. As Lyrica is tapered the patient will have withdrawal symptoms which need to be treated urgently for successful withdrawal. It is very difficult to manage it at home. Acute withdrawal symptoms (seizures, insomnia, gastrointestinal symptoms) manifest for at least 2-3 days after Lyrica has been fully stopped. The patient is managed with medicines. The patient is taught & counseled to help relapse prevention. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Nupur K, General & Family Physician