Side effects of taking gabapentin and lyrica together

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Side Effects of Taking Gabapentin and Lyrica Together

Introduction to Gabapentin and Lyrica

Gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are medications commonly used to manage neuropathic pain. Both drugs are α2δ ligands, with gabapentin being the first-generation and pregabalin the second-generation. They do not bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors but have shown effectiveness in treating various pain conditions .

Combined Use for Pain Control

The combination of gabapentin and pregabalin has been explored in clinical and research settings. This combined approach can enhance pain control by leveraging the synergistic effects of both drugs. It allows for lower doses of each medication, potentially reducing individual side effects and improving the overall therapeutic response .

Common Side Effects

Brain Fog

One of the most frequently reported side effects of gabapentinoids, including when used in combination, is brain fog. This symptom can significantly impact cognitive function and daily activities .

Ineffectiveness and Withdrawals

Some users report that the combination of gabapentin and pregabalin can be ineffective for their pain management needs. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms can occur when discontinuing these medications, which can be challenging for patients .

Other Adverse Reactions

While the combination therapy is generally well-tolerated, it is essential to consider potential adverse reactions. These can include dizziness, drowsiness, and coordination problems. The risk of these side effects may be heightened when both drugs are used together, although no clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions have been noted .

Public Perception and Concerns

A study analyzing social media posts revealed mixed sentiments about gabapentinoids. While some users shared positive experiences, others voiced concerns about side effects, including brain fog and withdrawal symptoms. Interestingly, despite the increasing public health concerns about gabapentinoid-related deaths, this issue was not prominently discussed on platforms like Twitter .

Conclusion

Combining gabapentin and pregabalin can offer enhanced pain control with potentially reduced individual side effects. However, patients and healthcare providers should be aware of common adverse reactions such as brain fog, ineffectiveness, and withdrawal symptoms. Ongoing monitoring and individualized treatment plans are crucial to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize risks.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Is there a role for combined use of gabapentin and pregabalin in pain control? Too good to be true?

Combining gabapentin and pregabalin shows potential in pain control, reducing doses and side effects while enhancing therapeutic response.

2018·

24citations

·H. Senderovich et al.

Content and sentiment analysis of gabapentinoid-related tweets: An infodemiology study.

Gabapentin-related tweets focus on positive experiences, negative experiences, and information sharing, with brain fog being the most common adverse symptom, but the public does not express concerns about gabapentin-related deaths.

Observational Study

2022·

7citations

·Stephanie Mathieson et al.

Analgesia with Gabapentin and Pregabalin May Involve N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors, Neurexins, and Thrombospondins

Gabapentin and pregabalin's analgesic effects may involve interactions with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, neurexin-1, and thrombospondins, in addition to voltage-gated calcium channels.

2020·

34citations

·C. Taylor et al.

Olaparib Approved for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.

The FDA has issued a new warning on gabapentinoids, highlighting the risk of potentially fatal respiratory depression, especially when combined with other CNS depressants.

2020·

5citations

·D. Aschenbrenner

Treatment of restless legs syndrome with gabapentin: a double-blind, cross-over study.

Gabapentin may be effective for treating restless legs syndrome, but its use may increase the risk of serious side-effects like malaise.

RCTHighly Cited

2003·

204citations

·B. Burchell

Review about gabapentin misuse, interactions, contraindications and side effects

Gabapentin is a potential drug of abuse for recreational use, opioid withdrawal, and methadone effects, with potential interactions and side effects.

Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2017·

80citations

·Gabriel C Quintero

Gabapentin and an opioid combination versus opioid alone for the management of neuropathic cancer pain: a randomized open trial.

Gabapentin combined with an opioid provides better relief of neuropathic cancer pain than opioid monotherapy, potentially representing a potential first-line regimen for pain management in these patients.

RCTHighly Cited

2007·

134citations

·K. Keskinbora et al.

Does Pregabalin (Lyrica(®) ) help patients reduce their use of benzodiazepines? A comparison with gabapentin using the Norwegian Prescription Database.

Pregabalin can help some patients significantly reduce their use of benzodiazepines, with psychiatric patients able to reduce their benzodiazepine use by 48% after starting pregabalin treatment.

Observational Study

2010·

39citations

·J. Bramness et al.

Analgesic Effects of Gabapentin after Spinal Surgery

Preoperative oral gabapentin significantly reduces early postoperative pain and morphine consumption in spinal surgery patients, while also reducing some morphine-associated side effects.

RCTHighly Cited

2004·

270citations

·A. Turan et al.

Nortriptyline and gabapentin, alone and in combination for neuropathic pain: a double-blind, randomised controlled crossover trial

Combined gabapentin and nortriptyline are more effective than either drug alone for treating neuropathic pain, with no serious adverse events observed.

RCTRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2009·

407citations

·I. Gilron et al.

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