If you are thinking of going off Lyrica, you need to inform yourself about what the potential side effects will be. Lyrica is an oral medication that is prescribed to patients to help them cope with pain. Diabetes patients are prescribed Lyrica for the treatment of pain due to nerve damage. It is also used to treat pain resulting from a shingles (a.k.a., herpes zoster) infection or fibromyalgia. Another group of patients that can benefit from taking Lyrica are those afflicted with seizures. Lyrica, when combined with other medications, can help in the prevention of the onset of seizures.
How Lyrica Works
Lyrica is the most effective when a specific level is maintained in the body over a period of time. Therefore, it is important to take this medication regularly as recommended by your doctor to maintain the optimum benefits. When you begin to take Lyrica, you may experience side effects, the most common of which is dizziness or drowsiness.
Why Patients Go Off Lyrica
According to the pre-marketing control trials, the most common reason for going off Lyrica was the discomfort caused by the drug's side effects. This occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients. Going off Lyrica, is not a decision to be taken lightly and patients should not try to do this themselves. When patients want to go off Lyrica, for whatever reason, they should consult with their doctor to create a program to prevent side effects.
Side Effects of Going Off Lyrica for Seizure Patients
Lyrica is used to help with seizure prevention in epileptic patients. When seizure patients suddenly stop taking this drug, their seizures may occur with increased frequency. Doctors generally recommend a tapering off the drug for one week or more.
Lyrica Dependency
Some patients can become dependent on Lyrica. If you are one of these people, going off Lyrica too rapidly can result in uncomfortable side effects due to withdrawal. The most common symptoms are feeling nauseous, headaches, trouble sleeping and diarrhea. Consult with your doctor if you think you are having dependency issues.
Going Off Lyrica and Suicidal Behavior
Anti-seizure medication, like Lyrica, is known to increase the rate of suicidal behavior amongst its users. Patients, who are accustomed to their recommended dosage and go off Lyrica suddenly, run the risk of side effects that result in suicide or suicidal thoughts. When making the decision to go off Lyrica, it is important to consult your doctor to help you avoid these risks.
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