Lyrica Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and How to Stop Pregabalin Safely

If you are using Lyrica (oral capsule, oral solution, and extended-release oral tablet) and want to stop taking it, it is perfectly natural to be uncertain or worried. Individuals can make the withdrawal process less risky and much more manageable by planning and obtaining the necessary medical advice and support. At The Embers, we view withdrawal through a lens of compassion, education, and respect for the entire person.

Why do People Want to Stop Taking Lyrica?

Pregabalin, which goes by the brand name Lyrica, is a medication used for nerve or neuropathic pain (chronic pain resulting from damage or disease affecting the nervous system) and other conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. In addition to pain relief related to nerve damage, postherpetic neuralgia, or fibromyalgia, it treats certain forms of epilepsy. Some patients also receive prescriptions for off-label uses, meaning for uses not explicitly approved by the FDA, including anxiety.

Patients withdraw from pregabalin for a number of reasons, including side effects, decreased efficacy, and concerns regarding dependence and addiction. Providers may also tell patients to discontinue usage of pregabalin as part of a comprehensive treatment regimen [1]. Research studies published in medical journals indexed on PubMed indicate that withdrawal symptoms can occur after long-term usage even when pregabalin is taken according to prescribed directions.[2] Withdrawal planning and careful tapering of dosage can significantly reduce risks and discomfort associated with withdrawal.

Pregabalin Withdrawal: What Does “Withdrawal” Mean?

Pregabalin withdrawal is a term that refers to a collection of symptoms that occur when the person reduces the prescribed dosage of a drug or stops using it following the development of physical dependence.

The development of physical dependence on pregabalin—meaning your body begins to rely on the medication—is a result of your body adjusting to it over time.[3]

To understand how withdrawal differs from other types of experiences, the following differentiators may be helpful:

• Side effects refer to symptoms which occur while you are actively using pregabalin.
• Withdrawal symptoms appear after the individual begins to reduce or stop taking pregabalin.
• Rebound symptoms occur when an individual reexperiences the original condition (i.e., for which pregabalin was prescribed).

Withdrawal is not the same as a diagnosis of addiction. Individuals who use pregabalin can develop a physical dependence on the drug and not engage in compulsive behavior related to pregabalin.[4] In the United States, pregabalin is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance, suggesting a relatively low potential for abuse compared to some other medications.  However, individuals may develop addiction.[5]

What Are the Symptoms of Lyrica Withdrawal?

For individuals experiencing withdrawal from pregabalin, common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety—Feelings of agitation, nervousness, or tension as a result of stopping taking pregabalin
• Inability to sleep (insomnia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Profuse sweating
• Diarrhea

More about Common Withdrawal Symptoms

Data provided through the FDA indicates the most prevalent withdrawal symptoms associated with pregabalin are anxiety, sleep disruption, nausea, headaches, sweating, and other gastrointestinal upset (such as diarrhea).[1] While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are typically not life-threatening. Some withdrawal symptoms, particularly sleep disturbances and anxiety, can often persist for an extended period—up to several weeks after stopping treatment with pregabalin.[3]

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms

Some people experience emotional and cognitive symptoms, meaning symptoms related to mood, thinking, and understanding. These may include anxiety, irritability, agitation, panic attacks, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. The National Health Service has noted that changes in mood and mental clarity can be part of pregabalin withdrawal, particularly in people with underlying anxiety conditions.[6]

Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms can include sweating, tremors or shaking, heart palpitations, gastrointestinal upset, body aches, and restlessness. Heart palpitations (the sensation of the heartbeat fluttering, pounding, racing, or skipping beats) can feel alarming but are temporary when evaluated and managed appropriately.[2]

Severe Symptoms That Need Emergency Evaluation

In some cases, severe symptoms can occur and require immediate medical attention:

• Seizures or increased seizure frequency, especially in people with seizure disorders
• Suicidal ideation, which refers to thoughts about ending one’s own life
• Severe confusion, hallucinations, or psychosis, a long-term state involving delusions or hallucinations

How Long Does Lyrica Withdrawal Last?

Short answer: pregabalin withdrawal often begins within one to two days after stopping abruptly, peaks during the first week, and improves over one to two weeks for many people. Some symptoms, especially sleep disturbance and anxiety, can last several weeks.

Typical Pregabalin Withdrawal Timeline

The table below serves as a guideline and shows the typical timeline of abrupt withdrawal from pregabalin.

Reasons for Varying Timelines

Many variables will ultimately dictate how long the withdrawal process after taking pregabalin lasts, including: dosage taken, amount of time the individual used pregabalin, preexisting anxiety or pain disorders, seizure history, and kidney functioning.[4] Since the kidneys process pregabalin out of the body, a person’s kidney health could potentially affect the rate at which pregabalin is eliminated.[7]

Factors Likely to Increase the Risk of Withdrawal

Certain risk factors can increase an individual’s chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms or increase the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

• Higher doses or long-term use of pregabalin
• Suddenly stopping use of pregabalin
• There is a history of seizures.
• Polysubstance abuse, meaning the use of more than one drug/substance
• The presence of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

The above-listed factors do not mean that an individual will experience an extremely severe withdrawal from pregabalin. However, they do highlight the importance of personalized care.

Tapering Off Pregabalin More Safely

Pregabalin should not be stopped suddenly without first speaking to a healthcare provider. By law, the FDA requires that pregabalin be tapered over a minimum of one week [1]. Many practitioners suggest that patients taper off pregabalin over one week or more, depending on the patient’s medical situation.[6]

Tapering should be individualized; if an individual experiences a sudden onset of withdrawal symptoms while tapering, the taper would be slowed down. This would especially apply to individuals who have taken pregabalin at higher doses or have taken pregabalin long-term.

Some questions you might want to ask your prescriber about a tapering schedule include:

• What tapering schedule is appropriate for me, and is my dose and medical history appropriate for this tapering schedule?
• What symptoms indicate that it may be necessary to slow the tapering of medications?
• How often will I meet with you and your staff for follow-up appointments during my taper?

When to Get Emergency Help

If you are experiencing any of the following, it is important to seek emergency medical attention:

• Any seizure activity
• Feeling suicidal or having thoughts of suicide
• Extreme disorientation, hallucinations, or psychotic episodes
• Chest pains
• Fainting
• Feeling dehydrated

Support While Experiencing Withdrawal from Pregabalin

Medical supervision to manage the withdrawal from pregabalin is essential. Psychological support to assist in managing psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, mood changes, and stress, is critical and may include appropriate evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of talk therapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a form of talk therapy that helps people manage intense emotions and behaviors.

In addition to the above, it is also essential to consider the lifestyle factors that affect the recovery process. It is important to develop healthy sleeping habits, meaning habits that promote healthy, restful sleep, use hydration and balanced nutrition, and develop stress management skills to support the long-term recovery process.

At The Embers, we offer a structured treatment program that takes into consideration the needs of persons with drug dependence, substance misuse, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. We are dedicated to providing individualized, ongoing care for our residents as they transition from withdrawal to healthy daily living.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lyrica Withdrawal