Lyriver (Pregabalin)

Dosage form:

Capsules 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 225, 300 mg

What is Lyriver (pregabalin) used for?

• It is used to help control certain kinds of seizures.
• It is used to treat painful nerve diseases.
• It is used to treat fibromyalgia.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Important notes before taking Lyriver (pregabalin):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to pregabalin or any other part of this drug. 
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Lyriver (pregabalin).
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Lyriver (pregabalin):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug affects you.
• Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop Lyriver (pregabalin), you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• A very bad reaction called angioedema has happened with this drug. Signs may include swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or unusual hoarseness. Get medical help right away if you have any of these signs.
• If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
• Talk with your doctor if you plan to father a child. Pregabalin made male animals less fertile and caused sperm changes. Birth defects also happened in the young of male animals treated with this drug. It is not known if these problems happen in humans.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this drug while you are pregnant.

Lyriver (pregabalin) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Change in eyesight;
• Muscle pain or weakness;
• If seizures are new or worse after starting this drug;
• Change in balance;
• Feeling confused;
• Shakiness;
• Memory problems or loss;
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs;
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat;
• Fever, chills, or sore throat;
• Skin sores;
• Trouble speaking, sleeping and walking;
• Feeling high (easy laughing and feeling good);
• Twitching.

Patients who take pregabalin may be at a greater risk of having thoughts or actions of suicide. The risk may be greater in people who have had these thoughts or actions in the past.  

Low platelet counts have rarely happened with this drug. This may lead to a higher chance of bleeding. Call your doctor right away if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding. 

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak;
• Weight gain;
• Not able to focus;
• Headache;
• Dry mouth;
• Constipation;
• More hungry;
• Upset stomach;
• Joint pain;
• Nose or throat irritation.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. 

Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Keep this drug out of reach of children.
• Store at room temperature and in a dry place.  
• Protect from light.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.