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Lyrica Overdose

9 Minutes

Edited & medically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team

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CONTENTS

A Lyrica (Pregabalin) overdose happens when you take too much pregabalin and this can be fatal. People misuse Lyrica prescription medication because its sedative and euphoric effects are highly addictive.

According to one study, two-thirds of cases of Pregabalin overdose are self-inflicted poisonings and one quarter reflects recreational use. The patients overdosing on pregabalin receive a median of 1200 mg of pregabalin [1].

Eighty-eight percent of patients who consumed another substance alongside pregabalin and sedative drugs appeared in their system 79% of the time, specifically opioids and benzodiazepines made up 41% and 36% of these cases. Patients developed coma with GCS below 9 in 18% of cases [1].

The prescription medication Lyrica contains pregabalin and helps patients manage nerve pain epilepsy and anxiety. The body experiences dangerous effects when you consume more Lyrica than prescribed because it exceeds the safe processing capacity. High doses of Lyrica create dangerous side effects that can prove fatal.

How Lyrica Overdose Occurs

An overdose of Lyrica can happen when someone takes it for recreational purposes to achieve its euphoric and relaxing effects, taking large doses accidentally, or using it with other medications. People who experience Lyrica’s calming effects might wrongly believe the drug is safe to use and hence overdose on it.

Accidental ingestion is common in children. Using Lyrica with substances such as alcohol opioids or sedatives leads to a build-up of dangerous levels of the drug in the blood, thus increasing your risk of overdose greatly.

What Happens To Your Body In Lyrica Overdose

High intake of pregabalin disrupts the normal function of the nervous system and other bodily systems. Lyrica reduces nerve signals by controlling calcium channels in the body. This drug works well for specific treatments yet an overdose will shut down vital body processes.

Large amounts of Lyrica create deep sleepiness and disrupt the brain’s ability to control breathing and heart function. This can cause respiratory depression which makes breathing either very slow or completely stop. Too much pregabalin in the blood affects body control and mental clarity before causing loss of consciousness. Taking too much Lyrica puts extreme pressure on the liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system which can lead to total organ failure.

The number of deaths from non-benzodiazepine hypnotics and gabapentinoids rose sharply during the last twenty years. Healthcare providers need to evaluate the actual patient risk when substituting benzodiazepines and opioids with new medications [2].

Finding out about Lyrica overdose guards against precarious medical side effects. Knowing overdose signs and getting medical help right away can be a matter of life and death.

An Overdose Of Lyrica Causes Both Physical And Mental Health Issues

The main physical signs of a Lyrica overdose are extreme sleepiness or lethargy that makes it hard to stay alert along with problems of breathing and unstable body movements. You can notice the person drifting between sleep while their speech becomes difficult to understand. When the overdose reaches critical levels, it can cause seizures or the person can lose consciousness.

A person taking too much Lyrica can feel confused and show signs of restlessness while seeing things that aren’t there (hallucinations). A person with pregabalin toxicity often experiences rapid mood changes and has trouble making good judgment. Many experience intense relaxation that unexpectedly changes into hazardous deep sleep or unresponsiveness.

Contact Emergency Services Right Away When These Dangerous Signs Appear

Emergency medical services should be called if someone shows signs of severe breathing trouble, does not respond to commands, or starts having seizures. In such situations, it is helpful that caregivers inform emergency services about the exact dose of Lyrica and all other substances the person has consumed.

That said, you should report any mild symptoms to a medical professional. Quick medical attention prevents serious problems with your breathing and other organ systems’ health.

Excessive Pregabalin Consumption Can Lead To Death

A fatal outcome is possible from Lyrica overdose when taken in high amounts or when mixed with alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines. The biggest danger comes from respiratory depression which can make breathing dangerously slow or stop completely.

The risk of death increases when someone experiences heart problems or low blood pressure from the drug. Taking more doses than your prescribed dose increases your risk of fatal events regardless of your age, weight, or tolerance of toxic drug levels.

Taking Too Much Lyrica Can Lead To Irreversible Harm To Your Body Systems

Even if you survive a Lyrica overdose you might still have permanent health problems. Taking too much can permanently harm your nervous system as well as your liver and kidneys. High doses of pregabalin create stress on body organs which results in their diminished performance over time.

Chronic liver problems reduce its drug-processing capacity and kidney damage can lead to a decrease in its toxin-elimination functions.

Brain damage from an overdose can last longer if it causes seizures or oxygen deprivation because of breathing difficulties. The neurological effects may show up through problems with memory and focus and ongoing muscle weakness.

A person who survives an overdose can develop long-term psychological effects including depression or anxiety because of the mental stress and brain damage suffered.

That said, one study concluded that gabapentinoids (Pregabalin) maintain low toxicity levels when taken without other medications. The drug levels of patients who ingested only gabapentinoid medications reached extreme highs. Death from drug overdose from combined gabapentinoids and opioid exposure is more likely but prescribed gabapentinoid users can also suffer fatal poisonings without opioid involvement [3].

What Dose Of Pregabalin Can I Safely Take

Doctors set your Lyrica dose by looking at your health status and the specific medical issue you have. Adult patients usually begin treatment with 75 mg of Lyrica twice per day but should not exceed 600 mg throughout the day. A dosage above 600 mg per day puts you at high risk for negative reactions and overdose.

You must take your medication exactly as your doctor tells you and never change the dose on your own. Patients who have liver or kidney problems need smaller doses because high amounts could be toxic to their bodies. Each person needs a specific Pregabalin dosage which means sharing your prescription with others is dangerous.

Eighty-three percent of patients develop mild poisoning when they have less than 20 mg/kg in their system. The way pregabalin affects people varies widely between individuals [4].

How To Avoid Overdose Risks

Using Lyrica properly is the first step to avoid an overdose. Put your pills in a locked container that both children and potential abusers cannot reach. Read your prescription carefully before medication use and store your pills in an organizer to prevent taking extra doses accidentally.

When taking Lyrica, you will need to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because mixing them can boost its tranquilizing effects and lead to serious health problems or overdose. Call your healthcare provider immediately when you think there’s a problem with your Lyrica dose or if you feel the side effects mentioned above.

Regular updates to your doctor are necessary. Tell your doctor about every pill and supplement you take because mixing them can create dangerous side effects.

Acute Symptoms Should Be Managed Immediately

When someone takes too much Lyrica, they need quick medical help to protect their life and health. First responders start their treatment by assessing the breathing pattern, heart rate, and blood pressure. Doctors will use oxygen support or machines to help breathing when respiratory depression occurs.

Activated charcoal helps doctors remove extra pregabalin from the stomach when patients have taken it recently. Doctors use intravenous fluids to keep the body hydrated while helping kidneys work better and keeping blood pressure stable. To help control seizures and strong agitation in patients, doctors give anti-seizure (e.g. benzodiazepine) medications [5].

People with severe cases often need intensive care monitoring to watch out for organ failure and breathing problems. Doctors address pregabalin overdose by treating symptoms at first while the body heals itself since no direct antidote for this drug exists.

The Need For Continued Healthcare And Rehabilitation Services

Becoming healthy after a Lyrica overdose needs more support beyond emergency care. Medical care continues beyond emergency treatment to help patients recover from both drug misuse and mental health challenges. Through medical supervision and counseling services, rehabilitation centers assist patients in regaining their health independence.

Through CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), patients learn to spot their misuse triggers while building effective strategies to manage difficult situations [6]. Meeting with others with similar problems in group sessions helps people support and motivate each other on their recovery journey.

The medical team will evaluate other medical solutions for the health condition that required Lyrica treatment in the first place. Medical teams can help by changing medicine amounts and types while adding physical therapy and meditation sessions.

The primary focus of rehabilitation centers is to heal the body and prevent the situation in the future. Medical staff explain the risks of wrong medication use to patients while offering them better ways to deal with their pain and anxiety.

Teach Patients And Caregivers To Prevent Overdoses

Learning about Lyrica usage is essential to stop overdose incidents. Patients require complete information about their medication schedule and possible reactions while learning about the risks of taking more than their doctor ordered. Healthcare providers must teach layperson caregivers the correct medication procedures.

Medical professionals work to stop overdoses by explaining why patients should not mix Lyrica and other substances like opioids and alcohol. Patients and caregivers learn better through written instructions and return visits which show them why taking medicine as directed matters.

Pregabalin Prescriptions Need Better Control Through Strict Rules

Better prescription control of pregabalin will decrease cases of overdose and drug abuse. Several regions now treat pregabalin as a prescription drug with special rules which means doctors must keep extensive records and track its use. Countries that share these prescription safety guidelines create a safer system to stop people from taking harmful drug doses whether knowingly or unintentionally.

Healthcare providers and pharmacies need to watch prescription refill activities to find possible abuse patterns. Prescription drug monitoring programs help find when people search for extra prescriptions from different doctors to obtain more medication.

Public outreach programs protect people from overdose by explaining why using pregabalin in unsafe ways is harmful. We need to educate high-risk groups like young people and former substance users about correct medication handling and storage methods.

1. Isoardi KZ, Polkinghorne G, Harris K, Isbister GK. Pregabalin poisoning and rising recreational use: a retrospective observational series. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020;86:2435–2440. 10.1111/bcp.14348

2. Overdose deaths involving non-BZD hypnotic/sedatives in the USA: Trends analysis. Tardelli, Vitor S. et al. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, Volume 10, 100190

3. Rietjens SJ, Sikma MA, Hunault CC, de Lange DW, Hondebrink L. Pregabalin poisoning: Evaluation of dose-toxicity relationship. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Mar;88(3):1288-1297. doi: 10.1111/bcp.15073. Epub 2021 Oct 8. PMID: 34505299; PMCID: PMC9293434.

4. Pirkko Kriikku, Ilkka Ojanperä, Pregabalin and gabapentin in non-opioid poisoning deaths. Forensic Science International. Volume 324,2021.

5. Medline Plus. Pregabalin. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605045.html

6. Cleveland Clinic. Pregabalin Capsules. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19097-pregabalin-capsules

FAQs

Is It Possible To Overdose On Lyrica Even When The Prescribed Dosage Is Followed?

Lyrica toxicity may happen at prescribed doses when patients have kidney or liver problems that affect how their body handles the medication. When the body has trouble breaking down or removing pregabalin due to health problems, it causes the medication to accumulate in the bloodstream. Regular medical visits are necessary to track your response to medication and monitor its safe use.

Which Daily Routines Put You At Higher Risk For Overdosing On Pregabalin?

Some personal behaviors increase your chances of having a pregabalin overdose. Taking alcohol or drugs for fun while using Lyrica makes the drug more sedating and raises your overdose risk. Your risk of overdosing rises when you change your dosage, take opioids alongside Lyrica, or skip dietary instructions.

Do Adults And Children Show Different Signs When They Take Too Much Pregabalin?

Pregabalin overdose might present differently in adults and children. Adult overdose typically results in strong dizziness reported by the patient along with mental confusion and breathing problems. Children’s bodies react strongly to medications so even minimal excess pregabalin can trigger dangerous medical issues. The signs can include unexplained drowsiness or sleepiness, seizures, prolonged sleep, and shallow breathing.

Do Specific Genetic Characteristics Make Lyrica Overdose More Likely?

Certain genetic traits influence how your system handles pregabalin and this can raise your chances of developing Lyrica toxicity. Genetic differences in liver enzymes and kidney function can reduce how quickly the body removes drugs from the system which raises the chance of drug toxicity. Your healthcare provider needs to know about family medication sensitivities before you take Lyrica.

Can Proper Hydration Help Your Body Handle Lyrica Toxicity Better?

Drinking enough water helps your body handle Lyrica toxicity better when recovering. Water intake supports kidney performance and helps your body get rid of pregabalin. Treating an overdose needs both proper medical intervention and fluid intake from the beginning of the treatment protocols.

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