Lyrica is the brand name of Pregabalin, which is an antiepileptic drug. The chemical pregabalin was discovered and developed by Richard Silverman, a professor from the Department of Chemistry at the Northwestern University between 1989 and 1990.
From these humble beginnings, bio-pharmaceutical giant Pfizer now markets as Lyrica as the most effective treatment for seizures as well. In the 13 years since its launch in 2005, Lyrica has been recognized as medical and commercial and is prescribed in 60 countries outside of the United States.
[toc]
Aside from epilepsy and various other seizure disorders, Lyrica is also prescribed for muscle pain or nerve pain, as well as for anxiety and other conditions.
Plus, Lyrica has also gained notoriety as a recreational drug, being used and abused beyond its true purpose.
Some Background on Lyrica
Indeed, Lyrica sounds like a breakthrough drug. And it is. Lyrica (pregabalin) is now one of the 10 most prescribed drugs in the US.
Lyrica (pregabalin) is recognized as the most effective treatment for seizures. It is also used to treat pain resulting from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a neurologic disease manifested by a painful complication after a shingles infection, which comes from the chickenpox virus. Postherpetic neuralgia or PHN, affects skin as well as nerve fibers, and results in burning pain that continues even after the blisters and rash of shingles are gone.
This pain inhibitor is also used for pain management for diabetes, and neuropathic pain associated with spinal injuries.
Lyrica is also one of only two approved treatments for fibromyalgia and epilepsy. In fact, in 2004, it became the very first medicine that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fibromyalgia. Lyrica is also potent and effective in pain management for pruritus, or surgery, and in restless leg syndrome. Lyrica can also help with nerve pain caused by chemotherapy and spinal cord injury.
At present, Lyrica is usually not prescribed for patients suffering from acute pain in general.
Pregabalin itself comes in capsules of 300-500 milligrams. However, the potent drug is only prescribed for adults at least 18 years old. Also, even its official homepage cautions that it can cause serious life-threatening allergic reactions. These may range from swelling of the face, lips, gums, tongue, or throat; getting rashes, hives or blisters; or having trouble breathing. If any of this happens, you should call your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
~ Call Chapters Capistrano Today for more Information 949-276-2886 ~
What Is Lyrica Good For?
Lyrica has been known to be successful in the management of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and other mood disorders, with its effects felt just after one week of taking.
Its benefits and effects are comparable to benzodiazepines, a type of psychoactive drug that can affect a person’s mood, consciousness, and his thoughts. Like Lyrica, benzodiazepines are also used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety and insomnia.
However, Lyrica is preferred because long-term use of benzodiazepines has a high potential for dependence and other adverse effects.
In 2006, Lyrica was also approved by European regulators as a valid treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. This was great news for the 12 million Europeans who in that year alone was diagnosed with this condition.
Recreational Use of Lyrica
It is unfortunate that after 13 years of effective treatment, Lyrica is now being singled out as one of those controversial drugs that are believed to cause an artificial, chemical-induced ‘high.’
Indeed, misused and taken in huge doses, Lyrica can produce exhilaration that is similar to that which is felt after taking other controlled substances.
That is why there are many users who take Lyrica for recreational purposes.
The most common side effects are sedation and, opposite that, a general feeling of well-being. However, pregabalin use has seldom led to abuse. It is not on any list of drugs with high potential for abuse.
At the same time, it would be unfair to single out Lyrica as the only prescription drug to have this effect. Taking prescribed medicine beyond a physician’s instructions is a form of drug abuse. Any prescription drug that is taken incorrectly, beyond what a physician’s instruction, is dangerous.
Abuse could also come from taking prescription medication larger than that prescribed, taking it in another form (e.g. crushing a tablet to make it a powder), and especially taking prescription medicine that was not prescribed for somebody else.
Support for Recreational Use of Lyrica
Abusing Lyrica or any other prescription can lead to clouding one’s judgment. This can lead to disastrous, even fatal, results even during mundane tasks such as driving or even cooking and taking care of children.
Another reason why abusing Lyrica is dangerous is because it is highly objective and can cause dependence and addiction. This is especially true when it is when used beyond its prescribed dosage.
Next, to alcohol and marijuana, there is a higher danger of prescription drugs such as Lyrica of being abused. The risk of abuse is even higher compared to illicit drugs cocaine, and heroin, and also compared to misused methamphetamine.
Taking huge doses of Lyrica has resulted in very bad situations. Don’t forget that you may be able to take more but you can never take it back and acquiring a tolerance for the effects of Lyrica can happen very fast. In general, although Lyrica can offer a pleasant high every now and then, it is dangerous and can also lead to addiction.
Most people are responsible enough to adhere to the proper use and dosage of prescription drugs. However, the United States government has admitted to having a grave concern in terms of prescription drugs being misused.
In fact, according to the results of a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 2.1 million Americans in that year used prescription drugs beyond what it was prescribed for.
This is likewise reflected in the increased number in emergency room visits, and deaths caused by drug overdose in the US in the last fifteen years.
~ Need More Information? Call 949-276-2886 ~
General Sentiment on Use of Lyrica
The list for the possible side effects of Lyrica is quite substantial. However, if it has been subscribed to you, then your physician saw that you had a need for it. And that as long as you take it as he prescribed, then you will get the full benefits of your medication.
The common physical side effects of Lyrica include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, swollen limbs, weight gain or dry mouth. The more serious physical side effects of Lyrica include blurred vision, unusual bleeding, muscle twitching, pain or tenderness in the muscles; plus possibly symptoms similar to an allergic reaction such as trouble breathing, rash, and itching, and swelling, especially of the face/tongue/throat).
And finally, it is possible for a very small handful who take Lyrica to experience non-physical symptoms such as mood swings, agitation, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, or thoughts of suicide.
Consequences of Lyrica Use
Taking prescription drugs other than in the manner it was prescribed can be fatal. More than 1,700 young adults aged 18 to 25 years old died from prescription drug overdose in 2014. This is 400% higher than deaths from drug overdose in 1999.
However, the consequences don’t even have to be that grave but just as life-changing and destructive. And because your judgment is impaired, coupled with a dire need to acquire the drug, it is not unlikely you may commit a crime. This will lead to compound consequences such as job loss, financial loss, and problems in your relationships. Another important thing to note is that using Lyrica without a physician’s prescription illegal.
But, yes, Lyrica can produce exhilarating effects. In short, it can get you high although the dosage for achieving this is unknown. What is known is that higher doses increase the possibility of unpleasant side effects.
If Lyrica has taken a hold of you or your loved one, choose a treatment facility that will look at the process of treatment holistically: the lifestyle, environment and psychological factors that could have contributed to your addiction.
Choose a treatment facility that will design a personalized treatment program that will address your particular concerns. No single treatment can manage the problems of all individuals who are suffering from addiction to prescription drugs.
Want more information about how Chapters Capistrano can help? Feel free to call 949-276-2886 and one of our addiction specialists will help get the information and help you need.
