Drug Interactions with Lyrica: A Guide to Other Medications, Alcohol, and More
Lyrica, a medication used to treat various conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and generalized anxiety disorder, can interact with a range of substances and other medications. Here's a guide to help you understand potential interactions and precautions when taking Lyrica.
Interactions with Other Medications
- Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabis products, including CBD, have been reported to interact with Lyrica. CBD can increase the risk of certain side effects from taking Lyrica, such as excessive sleepiness or dizziness.
- Lyrica can interact with the herb valerian root, often used to relieve anxiety. Taking both may increase the risk of side effects like sleepiness and dizziness.
- It's generally safe to take Lyrica with duloxetine (Cymbalta). However, potential interactions between Lyrica and pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are possible, but generally safe.
- The combination of Lyrica with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Lexapro, may increase your risk of bleeding, but there have been no reports of this occurring when these medications are taken in combination.
- Caution is advised when taking Lyrica with tramadol (a weaker opioid pain reliever) or Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone), as these combinations can increase the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, and overdose.
- Other medications interacting with Lyrica and gabapentin often include CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, alcohol), which may compound sedation and cognitive impairment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- It's not safe to take Lyrica while pregnant.
- Breastfeeding while taking Lyrica is not recommended.
Other Precautions
- If you've had an allergic reaction to Lyrica or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lyrica.
- Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Lyrica. These include breathing problems, heart problems, kidney problems, a history of alcohol or drug misuse, pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergic reaction, depression and other mental health conditions, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Important Information
- To learn about the dosage of Lyrica, see this article.
- To find out about the side effects of Lyrica, see this article or refer to the Lyrica prescribing information.
- To learn more about your condition, see our diabetes hub and list of diabetes articles, list of shingles articles, and list of fibromyalgia articles.
Interaction Management
- If you take Lyrica, it's important to let your doctor know if you take valerian root. They'll likely monitor you closely for side effects.
- To help prevent interactions with Lyrica, you should let your doctor and pharmacist know if you drink alcohol or take cannabis, tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins, and create a medication list.
In conclusion, understanding potential interactions with Lyrica is crucial to ensure safe and effective treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice and guidance.
- Lyrica, a medication for epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and generalized anxiety disorder, has potential interactions with cannabis (marijuana) and CBD, increasing the risk of excessive sleepiness or dizziness.
- The herb valerian root, often used to relieve anxiety, may interact with Lyrica, potentially increasing the risk of sleepiness and dizziness.
- While generally safe with duloxetine, potential interactions between Lyrica and NSAIDs are possible, but generally safe.
- The combination of Lyrica with SSRIs like Lexapro may increase the risk of bleeding, but reports of this happening are rare.
- Caution is advised when taking Lyrica with tramadol or Suboxone, as these combinations can increase the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, and overdose.
- Other medications that interact with Lyrica and gabapentin often include CNS depressants, potentially compounding sedation and cognitive impairment.
- It's not safe to take Lyrica while pregnant, and breastfeeding while taking Lyrica is not recommended.
- Allergic reaction to Lyrica or any of its ingredients, breathing problems, heart problems, kidney problems, a history of alcohol or drug misuse, pregnancy, breastfeeding, depression and other mental health conditions, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors are factors that may increase the risk of interactions with Lyrica.
- To prevent interactions with Lyrica, it's important to inform your doctor and pharmacist about alcohol consumption, cannabis use, other medications, supplements, herbs, and vitamins, and create a medication list.
- To learn more about diabetes, shingles, fibromyalgia, and other chronic medical-conditions and chronic-diseases like Crohn's disease, HIV, obesity, psoriasis, COPD, chronic-kidney-disease, and cancer, see the associated articles on our health-and-wellness platform.
- To ensure safe and effective treatment, understanding potential interactions with Lyrica is crucial, and it's always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice and guidance.
