Lyrica

Lyrica (Pregabalin)

Uses:

• Commonly used to treat
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Anxiety
  • Nerve pain, such as peripheral neuropathy, post herpetic neuralgia
  • Itching
  • Vasomotor symptoms with menopause
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Chronic cough

Advantage of this medication:

• No major side effect
• Cost: generic available, covered by most insurance
  • Based on GoodRx: cash price
  • 75 mg: 60 cap about $13

Dosing

• Most commonly used forms: 75, 100, 200 mg capsule
• Usually taken twice a day
• Kidney disease:
  • Mild kidney disease: no change in dose is needed
  • CrCl less than 30: use a lower dose, up to total of 150 mg per day
  • Hemodialysis patients: dialyzable. Up to 75 mg daily, extra dose after each dialysis

Side effects:

• Over 10%
  • Leg edema
  • Weight gain
  • dry mouth
  • Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache
  • Blurred vision
• 1 to 10%
  • Chest pain
  • Fluid retention
  • Low platelets
  • Gait problem, cognitive impairment
• Rare but potentially serious side effect
  • Respiratory suppression especially in patients with chronic lung disease, old age and use of opioid

How it works:

• inhibit certain neurotransmitter release related to pain