Lyrica Withdrawal Timeline, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lyrica (pregabalin) is a medication primarily used to treat nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and certain types of seizures by modulating the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. It works by binding to calcium channels in the nervous system, thereby reducing the excitability of neurons and alleviating pain signals.

According to Ibiloye, E.A.’s 2021 study, ‘Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Gabapentinoid Use and Misuse Among Texas Medicaid Recipients’, pregabalin users represented 22.6% of the 39,000 subjects analyzed. Pregabalin misuse occurred at a rate of 0.4%. The study identified pregabalin as a significant risk factor for misuse with an odds ratio of 2.337 (95% CI 1.492-3.661, p=0.0002). Researchers defined pregabalin misuse as three or more claims exceeding daily doses of 600 mg.

The Lyrica withdrawal timeline begins with early symptom onset within the first 24 hours, characterized by intense discomfort and cravings during days 1-2, peaking around days 3-4 with severe symptoms such as fatigue and depression. By week 2, physical symptoms start to improve, but psychological effects may linger, potentially extending beyond week 3 for some individuals.

Common Lyrica withdrawal symptoms include headaches, restlessness, mood disturbances, digestive issues, and sleep problems, with severity varying based on usage duration and dosage. Specific symptoms may manifest as insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, tremors, dyspnea, suicidal ideation, chest tightness, hallucinations, seizures, cravings, depressed mood, psychomotor agitation, cold sweats, excessive lacrimation, appetite loss, dizziness, hypersensitivity, tachycardia, and cognitive fog.

According to data from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, 571 adverse drug events involving pregabalin occurred between 2012 and 2016 in the United States, with over 10% of these events related to abuse.

Treatment options for Lyrica withdrawal include gradual tapering of the medication to minimize symptoms, cross-tapering with benzodiazepines for managing severe anxiety and insomnia, and psychological support through cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medical supervision is recommended to monitor complications, while symptomatic support may involve medications to address specific withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, and pain.

What is Lyrica (Pregabalin)?

Lyrica is a brand name for pregabalin, a prescription medication used to treat several medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, nerve pain, and epilepsy. 

According to Benassayag Kaduri, N.’s 2024 study, ‘Trends in Pregabalin Use and Prescribing Patterns in the Adult Population: A 10-Year Pharmacoepidemiologic Study’, pregabalin prescription rates increased by 2.3 times over 10 years, rising from 3.1% in 2010 to 7.2% in 2019. The elderly population received the highest number of prescriptions, with 13.2 prescriptions per 100 people aged 55-74 and 24.1 prescriptions per 100 people aged over 75. The dosage also increased significantly, with the median dose growing from 49.1 DDDs in 2010 to 84.0 DDDs in 2019, representing a 50% increase. Males, younger patients (35-54 years), those with low socioeconomic status, and individuals who used opioids and benzodiazepines received higher pregabalin doses.

Lyrica works by slowing the brain’s activity, calming overactive neurons, and changing brain chemicals associated with pain signals. The medication reduces seizure activity and provides pain relief.

People misuse Lyrica because it causes some users to experience a desirable “high” or euphoric feeling. Misusing Lyrica leads to dependence and addiction.

According to the National Poison Data System data from 2012-2022, pregabalin accounted for 14.1% (approximately 17,507 cases) of the 124,161 total gabapentinoid exposures reported to US poison centers. Intentional misuse or abuse represented 10% of all gabapentin and pregabalin exposures. The rate of pregabalin exposures remained stable throughout the study period, unlike the significant increase observed with gabapentin. Pregabalin exposures resulted in more serious medical outcomes and higher rates of critical care unit admissions compared to gabapentin. Multiple-substance exposures involving pregabalin were 2.5 times more likely to cause serious medical outcomes than single-substance exposures. Pregabalin is currently classified as a federally controlled substance in the United States.

What Is The Lyrica Withdrawal Timeline?

The Lyrica withdrawal timeline includes early symptom onset within 24 hours, peak discomfort around days 3-4, gradual physical improvement by week 2, and psychological symptoms potentially extending beyond week 3.

Here is the Lyrica withdrawal timeline in detail:

First 24 Hours: Lyrica has a 6-hour half-life, meaning symptoms are likely to begin within the first 24 hours of your last dose.

Days 1-2: Symptoms are likely to be the most intense during the first days after your last dose of Lyrica. Headache, tremors, sweating, nausea, insomnia, and confusion can be uncomfortable and exhausting. Many people experience intense cravings for the drug as their body adjusts to the sudden absence of Lyrica.

Day 3-4: Symptoms of withdrawal may peak on the third or fourth day of detox. Extreme fatigue, severe depression, stomach cramping and nausea, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and aggression are common. Some people experience psychosis or seizures during this period.

Week 2: After a week of intense symptoms, many people feel some improvement in their physical Lyrica withdrawal symptoms. Starting at the beginning of the second week, people may experience the following:

• Nightmares
• Anxiety
• Depression–sometimes with suicidal thoughts
• Fatigue
• Confusion or “cloudy” thinking
• Irritability

Strong cravings for Lyrica remain during the second week of withdrawal.

Week 3 and beyond: Physical symptoms resolve mostly or entirely during the third week, but psychological symptoms continue. Some people experience significant relief from these symptoms during the third week, while others struggle with them for weeks or months.

How Long Does Lyrica Withdrawal Last?

Lyrica withdrawal lasts for several days to weeks, beginning within 1-2 days after discontinuation and persisting until the medication is resumed or properly tapered.

According to Ishikawa, H.’s 2021 study, ‘Pregabalin withdrawal in patients without psychiatric disorders taking a regular dose of pregabalin: A case series and literature review’, pregabalin withdrawal occurs even in patients taking regular doses without psychiatric disorders. The case studies presented show withdrawal symptoms appearing rapidly, within 1-2 days after abrupt discontinuation of pregabalin. Common symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, palpitations, and physical discomfort. The research demonstrates that pregabalin withdrawal can occur after only 2 months of regular use, with doses ranging from 150 to 600 mg/day. The authors conclude that clinicians must carefully taper pregabalin doses when discontinuing treatment to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which resolve quickly once the medication is resumed.

What Are Common Lyrica Withdrawal Symptoms?

The common Lyrica withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, tremors, breathing difficulties, and suicidal thoughts. Patients may also experience chest tightness, hallucinations, seizures, intense cravings, and depressed mood during discontinuation.

Here are the common Lyrica withdrawal symptoms:

• Insomnia: Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep following pregabalin discontinuation, often resistant to conventional sleep medications until pregabalin is resumed.
• Anxiety: Pronounced feelings of unease, worry, and fear that develop within days after pregabalin cessation, ranging from mild nervousness to incapacitating distress.
• Palpitations: Uncomfortable awareness of heartbeat, often racing or irregular, occurring as a vegetative symptom of pregabalin withdrawal.
• Tremors: Involuntary, rhythmic muscle movements, typically affecting the hands, presenting as a physical manifestation of pregabalin discontinuation syndrome.
• Dyspnea: Subjective sensation of breathing difficulty or shortness of breath despite normal respiratory function tests, commonly reported during pregabalin withdrawal.
• Suicidal ideation: Emergence of thoughts about self-harm or ending one’s life that can occur during pregabalin withdrawal, representing a serious psychiatric complication requiring immediate attention.
• Chest tightness: Sensation of pressure or constriction in the chest unrelated to cardiac pathology, frequently reported during pregabalin withdrawal syndrome.
• Hallucinations: Sensory perceptions in the absence of external stimuli, typically visual or auditory, occurring as a severe manifestation of pregabalin withdrawal.
• Seizures: Abnormal, excessive electrical discharges in the brain resulting in convulsions, a rare but serious neurological complication of abrupt pregabalin discontinuation.
• Craving: Strong psychological desire to resume pregabalin use to relieve withdrawal symptoms, reflecting the development of physical dependence even with therapeutic dosing.
• Depressed mood: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emotional flatness that emerge after pregabalin discontinuation, independent of pre-existing mood disorders.
• Psychomotor agitation: A state of heightened physical and psychological activity characterized by restlessness, pacing, and inability to sit still, occurring as a central nervous system rebound effect after pregabalin cessation.
• Cold sweats: Sudden perspiration accompanied by cool skin, occurring independently of environmental temperature or physical exertion, representing autonomic nervous system dysregulation during pregabalin withdrawal.
• Lacrimation: Excessive tear production without emotional or environmental triggers, manifesting as a parasympathetic rebound symptom during pregabalin withdrawal.
• Appetite loss: Significant decrease in desire to eat despite nutritional needs, often accompanied by weight loss if withdrawal is prolonged, reflecting gastrointestinal system disruption.
• Headache: Persistent, often diffuse head pain that develops within days of pregabalin discontinuation, typically resistant to common analgesics until pregabalin is resumed.
• Dizziness: Sensation of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or feeling faint that increases fall risk, arising from neurotransmitter imbalances during pregabalin withdrawal.
• Hypersensitivity: Heightened reactivity to sensory stimuli such as light, sound, or touch, representing central nervous system hyperexcitability following pregabalin discontinuation.
• Tachycardia: Abnormally rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute while at rest, reflecting autonomic nervous system instability during pregabalin withdrawal.
• Cognitive fog: Subjective experience of mental cloudiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions, representing disrupted neurotransmission during pregabalin withdrawal.

What Are The Treatment Options for Lyrica Withdrawal?

The treatment options for Lyrica withdrawal include gradual tapering, cross-tapering with benzodiazepines, psychological support, medical supervision, and symptomatic management. Most patients recover within one week after proper discontinuation, with supervised approaches like diazepam cross-tapering demonstrating significant improvements in withdrawal symptoms and rebound insomnia.

Here are the key treatment options for Lyrica withdrawal:

• Gradual Tapering: Slowly reducing the dose of pregabalin over time helps minimize withdrawal symptoms and allows the body to adjust. Abrupt discontinuation is generally avoided to prevent severe withdrawal effects. According to Rissardo, J. P.’s 2020 study, ‘Pregabalin-associated movement disorders: A literature review.’ Recovery after withdrawal was typically rapid, with 77% recovering within one week after stopping pregabalin.
• Cross-Tapering with Benzodiazepines: In some cases, benzodiazepines like diazepam are used to manage severe anxiety and insomnia during pregabalin withdrawal. This involves substituting pregabalin with a benzodiazepine and then gradually tapering off the benzodiazepine as well. According to Papanna, B.’s 2021 study, ‘Pregabalin abuse and dependence during insomnia and protocol for short-term withdrawal management with diazepam: examples from case reports’, Cross-Tapering with Benzodiazepines for Pregabalin withdrawal shows consistent clinical outcomes in reducing withdrawal symptoms and rebound insomnia. Diazepam dosages of 10-30mg daily administered for a strict two-week period produced improvements from severe illness (CGI-S=6) to minimal pathology (CGI-S=1-2). Patients experienced reduced anxiety from severe (GAD-7=19-21) to mild (GAD-7=3-6) and improved from clinical insomnia (ISI=21- 27) to subthreshold levels (ISI=7-14). Diazepam’s long half-life allows for a self-tapering effect with reduced seizure risk, making it particularly effective for managing Pregabalin withdrawal. The protocol requires complete discontinuation of diazepam before discharge to prevent secondary dependence.
• Psychological Support: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychological interventions help manage anxiety and insomnia associated with withdrawal and support long-term recovery.
• Medical Supervision: Withdrawal should ideally be conducted under medical supervision, especially for patients with a history of seizures or severe dependence, to monitor and manage complications. According to Luo, Y.’s 2025 study, ‘A case report of pregabalin misuse leading to drug dependence’, medication-based treatments form the primary approach for managing pregabalin dependence. Substitution therapy with benzodiazepines in a tapering schedule enhances GABA-A receptor-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission, reducing excessive neuronal excitability and easing withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressants like venlafaxine regulate serotonin and norepinephrine levels to improve mood, while antipsychotics such as paliperidone and quetiapine fumarate control psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions, while improving sleep patterns and restoring normal sleep.
• Symptomatic Support: Managing specific withdrawal symptoms with supportive care, including medications for anxiety, sleep disturbances, nausea, or pain, as needed.

What Factors Affect Your Lyrica Withdrawal Timeline?

Factors that affect your Lyrica withdrawal timeline include duration of Lyrica use, dosage level, concurrent substance misuse, kidney health, age, and physical makeup. The length and severity of withdrawal symptoms vary significantly based on these individual factors.

• How long have they used Lyrica?
• How much Lyrica did they take?
• Other drugs they were misusing at the same time
• Kidney function
• Age
• Body composition

Regardless of the length and severity of your symptoms, seeking professional treatment is important to avoid developing life-threatening complications or relapsing before detox is complete.

How Does A Drug Detox Program In North Carolina Help With Lyrica Withdrawal?

A drug detox program in North Carolina provides immediate medical supervision and support to manage dangerous Lyrica withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and suicidal thoughts. A professional drug detox program offers medication-assisted treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications during the detox process. With 24/7 medical monitoring at Charlotte Detox Center in North Carolina, patients receive personalized care that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of Lyrica withdrawal, significantly improving chances for a successful recovery while minimizing discomfort and health risks.