How To Taper Off Lyrica

I have been taking Pregabalin for 15 months at 150 mg daily. I had my hip replaced two months ago and no longer need the meds. How do I taper off, step by step, so as to minimize side effects?

REPLY

REPORT

Lyrica is quite easy to come off. Your Dr could prescribe a lower dose for two weeks or what I did was drop one pill a day for two weeks, then two pills a day for two weeks and so on. I had a bit of a headache but no problem.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Hello, Rod! How are you?

And thanks to Eunie for your helpful response.

One caution I would like to add is to please do not stop this medication cold turkey, since it is an anticonvulsant, though it also helps with nerve pain, a sudden withdrawal could cause seizures.

Typical side effects to this medication, as listed by the FDA, may include nausea, dizziness, mood swings and weight gain.

A slow taper is the best way, as long as your doctor approves and is supervising you.

Is there anything else I can help with?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 4

Thanks for the information on your experience Eunie. Much appreciated

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thankyou Verwon, I plan to start the weaning process in a few weeks. I may take a six week period to make a gradual exit. I am taking your caution to heart. One less med will also help deal with some persistant acid reflux.
Cheers, Rod

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

You're very welcome! Please update me on how it's going!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What's the next dosage I can titrate to from 150mg twice a day, to wean off Lyrica? I have many of the side effects that are much worse than when I started. I can see changes in me not for the good.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am NoT a doctor Ali, but I have been told to halve one of your daily doses, as in if you take 150mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening then start taking 75mg in the morning and continue with 150 at night for a period of time before decreasing another tablet. But if you are having bad thoughts or feelings I would seek medical advice asap. Good luck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Re: Trac (# 7)

Lyrica is notorious for the withdrawals, which I have experienced. It's irresponsible to post innaccurate information that can cause severe health problems.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 7

Re: Jen (# 8)

HI jEN, I have had terrible withdrawal trying to get off of Lyrica. The dose should be slowly decreased/ I used to take 150 mg morning & Night - I dropped to 100, now I do 100 mg in morning and 75 at night. I'll do that for a month, then do 75 twice a day, then down to 50 mg twice a day. Lyrica is not a good drug - it is dangerous - weight gain, memory loss. Did you get off of it???

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

I have been on pregabalin for 3 weeks for generalized anxiety disorder. I was on 150mg the first week, 300mg the second week and 450mg for 5 days. Then the psychiatrist put me back down to 350mg and I want to taper the dose and get off pregabalin. What is the best way to do it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Betty (# 9)

As of yet no. I'm down to the 50mg pills and opening them and dumping out almost all of it. Tonight I'm going to see if I can skip my dose. I had gotten HORRIBLY sick when I went back to school in another town and hadn't realized, with all the new things going on, that I had forgotten to take my doses for like a week. I almost went to the emergency room, then it dawned on me. I Took a dose and within a half hour I cried I was so relieved to feel better. It was THE WORST! I also am wondering if it has been why I feel so lazy until like 6 pm the day after I take it...im praying to be off soon.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Eunie (# 1)

Lyrica is absolutely AWFUL to come off of,and can cause seizures. Get medical advice. I've been tapering for over a year now. I was on large dose but none the less, it can be dangerous to your health, unless it's done under medical advice. My dr knows I have been opening my caps and dumping out some of them to get to as low of a dose as possible before trying to completely stop again. I thought I was dying when I had forgotten to take mine almost a week. (Had routine messed up from driving daily to school over 3 hours, after going back at 35.) after realizing that, took my dose and felt better in like half an hour. Good luck. Please be safe. It's a strong drug, and sometimes I think irresponsibly prescribed.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Thomas (# 10)
I am in the same boat as you was put on lyrica for gad 150mg week 1 week 2 300mg weeke 3 450 middle of week getting worse so doctor said drop it toff 350 being on it 4 weeks might as well have taken smatries it has being completly uselse's for my gad gonna start tappering down until I am completely of it and try and get another drug that would be better for my gad I have heard buspar is good has any body had any experience of buspar with anxiety

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Jen (# 8)

I have been on lyrica for about 2 1/2 years. Last April I took myself off and it was horribly bad. I don't understand how some people have no withdrawals. I am on a pretty low dose 150 mgs once at night. I have fibromyalgia. Just last month my insurance cut it from my plan!! It is also so expensive so my Dr was nice enough to give me some samples. I have 75 mg and 50. Last night was the first time I took 100 mg, my plan is to do this for an amount of time then go to 75 then 50 then stop. Do you have any advice for me on when I should cut my doses? Will it affect me badly if I go from 50 to nothing? Unfortunately my Dr isn't the best so I rely on forums and one of my best resources, my pharmacist. Thank you for any responses.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Hbella (# 14)

I would go to the 75 immediately. Then in a week 50. I dump some of the powder out and go that way. 50 is too hard for me to stop off of. I'm still at like 20% of the 50's being taken, it's a nightmare!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was taken off gabapentin and given pregabalin 300 mg daily almost a year ago. Because of possible side effects from these my doctor has suggested we try to revert back to gabapentin and begin reducing from 100mg x 3 daily to take 2 daily for 1 week then 1 daily for 1 week then stop completely; returning to see her in 1 months time when I have been stopped for a full week. I'm already experiencing sickness & depression amongst other feelings. I decided to look online about withdrawal from this drug and it frightens me to think my doctor's plan is too extreme and not slow enough. I broke my neck in 2009 and had shingles 3 times so I do have pain. I'm 69 and also suffer from depression. I'm really afraid now what the next few weeks hold for me. Any advice please is welcome.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Ruthy (# 16)

I am currently coming off of Lyrica because I am tired of paying the high price, weight gain and memory problems. I was on 150 mg twice a day, then I went to 150 mg. in the morning and 100 mg. at night for several weeks, then 100 mg twice a day, then 100 mg in the morning & 75 mg. at night. Now I'm on 75 mg. in the morning and 50 mg at night. After several weeks I'll go to 50 mg morning and night. Then drop to 50 mg. morning, 25 mg at night - then finally 25 mg. twice a day, then 25 mg once a day for several weeks, then zero. You have to do it real slow or you will be very sick and horrific headache. The headache was worse than a migraine. I couldn't believe how sick I got - NO DR. EVER TOLD ME HOW BAD LYRICA WAS TO GET OFF OF!!!! MAKES ME SO MAD.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I'm taking one 150mg capsule of Lyrica every night. I was prescribed it for fibromyalgia but It hasn't helped me at all. I want to taper off without having to see a doctor for that. Can anyone help? Thanks!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Is it only me who thinks everyone is being completely dramatic??? You lot just like to scare people. I've been on and off pregabalin 3 times now without side effects or withdrawal. I am on 75mg in the morning and the same at night. I stopped taking my pm one last week with no issues. Now I'm taking one every other day and will be off them fully by Friday. I think sometimes people like to exaggerate everything but coming from someone who just gets on with things please don't think you are stuck on them for life with horrendous withdrawal because the reality is that will only happen in a small number of cases. Most people just get on with it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 10

You are so lucky you have no withdrawal. Maybe because you are on the generic. I'm on real Lyrica and my withdrawal is bad. I am coming down slowly and it seems to be better. Did you experience weight gain? I've gained 20 lbs. Can't wait to quit buying it. There is a coupon on the internet for Lyrica.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: BETTY (# 20)

Be helpful if they could manufacture 12.5 mg to help us come of. The tablet form are so small they are hard to halve

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Re: Diller (# 25)

I know 150mg a day is a lower dose, I have been having weird side effects.since I started taking Lyrica 10days ago.My right eye is in pain watering all day and I cannot focus. Just want to stop the medication and was asking for advice on tapering,

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I started Lyrica 75 x 2 a day 10 days ago. Do I need to taper off? And how can I get off safely?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Horcruxes (# 19)

Well aren't u a hero !! 75mg is next to peanuts compared to what alot of us had been subscribed.
It's a nightmare drug & should be REMOVED from prescribed medication.
Glad u find it a breeze BUT DO NOT JUDGE others on higher doses !!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I take 50 mg of lyrica at bedtime. How do I wean off of this

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Horcruxes (# 19)
I just stopped taking Lyrica once and after a few days wondered why I was angry and had a terrible stomach ache. Went back to 50 mg bid I was taking and the problem went away. It's unrealistic to think it's safe to just stop such a powerful drug. I'm on 75 mg bid now and want off: too expensive, controlled drug and not sure it's helping with chronic spine pain. I would NEVER just stop this drug. Drug companies no help. They don't discuss the pain of withdrawal when this is prescribed. And there is no generic as yet.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Eunie (# 1)

So not true! It is not easy! You will wish the doctor put you into a coma to get off of it. Be careful. I wish I never ever got on it. FDA Never should have allowed passage of this awful drug!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Have been taking 200 mg daily. Does not help my neuropathy at all. Want to stop taking this expensive worthless drug. Ho...

10 REPLIES

Please help; doctor doesn't want me as a patient anymore, reasons are ridiculous and too long to get into, but now s...

142 REPLIES

How to taper off 15mg of mirtazapine.....take 7.5 mg for awhile???? Slept great. I am 71, healthy but have mild groggine...

2 REPLIES

I was on phentermine in mornings and belvique in the evenings! With exercise and low carb earing,I have lost 45 pounds w...

2 REPLIES

How long does it take to get off urbanol completely without withdrawal symptoms? When will my body be over the withdrawa...

1 REPLY

I am a 33 year old male. I've been a low self esteem person from childhood. Due to some family tensions before my ma...

1 REPLY

I was put on prednisone to try and raise platlets for an epidural Started - 15 October to 23 October - 9 days 30mg Then ...

1 REPLY

how to safely taper off of bentyl ## Hi, Ron! What dose do you take and how long have you been taking it? Learn more Ben...

1 REPLY

My husband needs to get off Viibryd. He has had every side effect possible and then some!! How should I taper his dose? ...

1 REPLY

hi everyone ,ive been on lyrica for 6 days now 75mg is a bit strong for me i only take it once per day ,can anyone sugge...

3 REPLIES