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Lyrica Anxiety Relief

Lyrica is the brand name of a class of drug manufactured by the American company, Pfizer. It consists of the molecule pregabalin. It has a wide spectrum of uses, but is primarily used for neuropathic pain, post herpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia and as an adjunct treatment for those with the partial onset of seizures. In the European Union, Lyrica is also accepted as treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

  1. Form, strength and dosage

    • Lyrica is available in capsule form and is offered in strengths of 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 225, 300 and 400 milligrams. The medical information website of the U.S. government, Daily Med, recommends the drug be administered three times a day. The website also recommends gradually increasing dosages of Lyrica so the body can become accustomed to the drug and levels can build up slowly in the blood stream. Patients may begin with a 150 milligram dose and move up to a maximum of 400 milligrams depending on the condition. Most conditions, including anxiety, have a maximum dose of 300 milligrams, but fibryomyalgia patients can be dosed with the full 400 milligrams of Lyrica.

    Use in anxiety treatment

    • The exact dosage of Lyrica as a treatment for anxiety is determined on a case-to-case basis because, according to Epilepsy.EmedTV, the drug's exact reaction in the body is unknown. Its chemical composition is known to cause relief in symptoms by inhibiting channel blockers in the brain, but its use as drug for GAD has not yet been proven in the U.S.

      According to Dr. Stuart Montgomery, professor of psychiatry at the Imperial College School of Medicine at the University of London, Lyrica offers an exotic line of treatment, which can potentially offer the most value as a supplement to existing treatments for GAD and not as a replacement. Its success as an anxiety treatment is based on Lyrica's tendency to inhibit chemical changes that cause extreme mood swings.

    Side effects

    • Pregabalin's general side effects are more or less the same as those associated with any anti-anxiety drug. Drugs.com states that these potential side effects can range from muscle pain, tenderness in the skin resulting in easily bruising or bleeding, dizziness, exhaustion, depression, memory problems, problems with coordination and concentration, dry mouth and skin rash. Lyrica may also aggravate suicidal tendencies in those already considering suicide.

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