Do Not Self-Medicate

It has been shown that individuals who previously underwent depression and have had suicidal tendencies got worse upon taking Lyrica. If you fall into either category, be sure to inform your doctor of such earlier conditions before treatment, or, if you failed to do so, inform your doctor during the first month or two of treatment or if your dosage is changed, since taking Lyrica might induce both depression and suicidal tendencies again. Sudden discontinuance of Lyrica
without the knowledge or approval of your doctor might cause your seizures to become worse because of the abrupt withdrawal of ingestion. Your doctor would be the right person to know how much dosage you should take and it has not been proven that Lyrica could be harmful to a fetus, but a seizure when you’re pregnant is dangerous to both the mother and her baby. You should inform your doctor if you have been taking Lyrica and become pregnant while on it. Men who are on Lyrica should take precaution and use a condom if trying to father a child because it might be possible that taking Lyrica could cause birth defects.

Know the Side Effects and Inform Your Doctor

Follow the prescription label’s directions when taking Lyrica and take it exactly as it has been prescribed to you by the doctor. You are strictly advised not to take it in smaller or larger amounts or for a longer period of time than directed by your doctor. If you feel that Lyrica is not work as effectively as it should, inform your doctor immediately, but under no circumstances should you be the one altering the dosage and the dosage frequency given by your doctor.

Side effects from using Lyrica include:

• Blurring of vision;
• Confusion;
• Swelling in the hands, feet and/or legs;
• Changes in the amount of urine that is voided;
• Weakness, pain or tenderness in the muscles;
• Unsteadiness or imbalance;
• Swelling of the throat, face or tongue;
• Severe dizziness;
• Shortness of breath;
• Intensive itching;
• Skin rashes;
• Bruising or bleeding.

Some individuals who have medical conditions such as bipolar disorder, seizures and body pain and take anti-convulsants such as Lyrica are susceptible to depression, suicidal tendencies, mood swings and other mental problems. If you experience any of these, or if you or your family, friends, co-workers, etc. observe any drastic changes in your behavior, mood, etc. about inflicting harm on yourself, consult your doctor at once.

Inform Your Doctor of Your Other Medications

Interactions between other drug medications and Lyrica should be noted carefully. Maintain a list of all treatments you use, including non-pharmacological medications such as herbal alternatives and inform your doctor about them. Be cautious about ingesting other medications such as antihistamines which can cause drowsiness or pain relievers because their chemical formulations might counteract with the Lyrica you are taking or about to take.

If you are on other medications such as sedatives, sleeping pills, medications for anxiety or depression, cold or allergy medications, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain and other seizure medications and rosiglitazone, inform your doctor about them, and especially if you use medications for the blood pressure or heart such as quinapril, benazepril, lisinopril, ramipril and enalapril. Alcohol consumption while on Lyrica treatment could increase the intensity of the above mentioned side effects associated with Lyrica and could impair your otherwise stable thinking and normal reactions.