Change of medication

[malcolm_one]

Has anyone swapped from gabapentin to pregabalin. Were there any problems swapping over and how long did it take?

[Pippins2]

I changed from Gabapentin to Pregablin ( Lyrica ) but it was to treat nerve pain rather than RLS. I didn't have any problems with the transition didn't wean just switched, I did find the Pregablin worked better than the Gabapentin for pain but neither worked on my RLS. How many people do find it helpful for RLS although it does take a few weeks to build up in the system. .Pipps x

[malcolm_one in reply to Pippins2]

My father has been swapped over 3 weeks. He is now on 100mg pregabilin a day. First night without any gabapentin and had no sleep.

[Suckerbeagle]

People who tolerate Gabapentin well may not tolerate Lyrica etc. I was switched and developed severe depression and constipation. When I went back to Gabapentin these symptoms cleared up almost immediately.

[malcolm_one in reply to Suckerbeagle]

That helps

[malcolm_one in reply to Suckerbeagle]

Thank you so much. Switched dad back to gabapentin yesterday last night he slept better than when he changed to pregabilin. Today all feelings of depression have lifted he does not have a heavy feeling. Thank you for this comment.

[malcolm_one]

Has anyone else suffered depression from pregabilin?

[kukunta in reply to malcolm_one]

Yes. At least it made my depression worse. Made me a real zombie.

I changed to gabapentin but it had the same effect on me.

I'm just weaning off gaba, second day. half dosage, I already feel a bit better.

[nightdancer]

I tolerated Gabapentin to a point, but gained a ton of weight on it, I was on the max dose, and it really did not help my RLS. Lyrica was a nightmare for me, I only took it for 2 weeks, and it really affected my brain and my "mood", so HAD to get off if it. I cannot tolerate the dopamine meds at all, so it is opiates for me, and they have worked great at the same dose for 12 yrs now. I take holidays so as not to build up a tolerance, and all is well 90% of the time. Lots of exerts now saying they prefer to use opiates to dopamine meds and would really like to get away from those as the "first line" treatment for RLS. Too many problems in general with that class of meds, not that they do not help some people, but there are more problems than not with them. Good luck with the Lyrica!