Pregabalin (Lyrica) withdrawal after short-term use - nausea?!

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I was prescribed Lyrica (75mg) for sleep and anxiety disorders (caused by burnout) and took it in the evening for about a month (with a few/single days off). This actually improved the anxiety/tension and I was able to sleep through the night for the first time in a long time. However, since Lyrica not only caused me very severe headaches, but also a permanent feeling of being "beside myself" as well as many other side effects, I slowly phased it out by breaking open the capsules and reducing their contents more and more (first in halves, then in thirds, in quarters...).

This has worked reasonably well and I have even been able to sleep through 2-3 nights since my very last dose a week ago. I do have some complaints that have returned since I stopped (or were triggered by the withdrawal) - but all in all I feel better and more comfortable than when I was taking Lyrica.

However, for the past few days I have been experiencing nausea, which occurs several times a day for no particular reason and then disappears again, as well as (not frequently but nevertheless) a feeling that something is brushing against my scalp (kind of like a bug crawling over the hair on your head).

Could these still be effects of the pregabalin withdrawal? I had switched from taking 18mg four times to 0mg a week ago - surely the drug should have left the body by now? Or has the drug already caused neurotransmitter release to be "reprogrammed" after such a short intake and the neurological processes now have to recover? How long do I have to expect withdrawal symptoms in this case?

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Response 1:

Hello, I also took Lyrica and did not have any withdrawal when slowly tapering off with doctor's supervision. I took the stuff for almost a year.

The trouble with opening the capsules and then taking less and less... You shouldn't do that under any circumstances. Depending on the type of capsule, the delay is disrupted and it can lead to severe poisoning. In the lightest case, the capsules will be ineffective. How you came up with this idea, if I may say so, is a mystery to me, since your text is full of technical terms. There are only a few capsules that you can open and dissolve in order to administer them, for example, with tube feeds via stomach tubes, and you should always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

After one month of taking 75mg per day, withdrawal is extremely unlikely, even if you stop taking the capsules right away.

Response 2:

Hello,

I too have had to take Lyrica .75 in the morning and 75mg in the evening due to cervical myelopathy. I was allowed to stop taking the tablets immediately and had no problems. I don't like slow-release capsules. Really clarify with your doctor whether you can stop taking them or switch to a lighter dosage in tablet form, e.g. 25mg. Kind regards

Response 3:

Please check with your doctor whether you are allowed to break the capsules (this is stated in the package leaflet for all tablets). With many tablets it is forbidden to break them, because the shell determines the time of absorption (earlier or later in the digestive cycle).

If I remember correctly, Lyrica is a slow-release drug. This means that the tablet takes effect over a certain period of time. If you swallow only the contents without the shell, all the active ingredient is released at once. It is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain this to you again. Cutting the Lyrica tablet in half is definitely not a good idea.

Response 4:

Hi, I know very well about withdrawal symptoms.

I tried numerous drugs before Lyrica and I have to say that Lyrica was the only one I could tolerate at all to some extent. So it was a done deal for me. I got high. Lyrica-high, as it is also called online. And that is what makes very sensitive people become addicted. I was in my bubble. It really felt like protection. Now I haven't taken anything for almost a year.

I was able to move around people completely "normally" thanks to Lyrica. No panic, no heart palpitations and mind spinning. Lyrica completely knocked me out.

I took 150 mg at the time and, unreasonable as I am, just stopped taking it straight away. The first few weeks were hell. The withdrawal symptoms with Lyrica are really extreme. Stronger than with benzos. I can only recommend that everyone slowly and in a controlled manner taper off.