Cost of lyrica

[Yakester]

Just found out that lyrica will cost me over $300 a month with my insurance. Can’t afford that. Don’t know where to turn this next two weeks before my appointment at a sleep center.

[Pam34]

Crikey that’s tough! Costs me £8 per month on prescription with the NHS. We are really lucky to have it.

I don’t know how the system works over there but with insurance that seems really expensive.

You need to speak to your doctor and explain this and how you feel and tell him how desperate you are feeling. Make him understand. Try and stay strong. Let us know what he says.

Good luck

Pam

[Pam34]

I thought they were the same? Yes I’m on Pregabalin on prescription. I know it’s not cheap and doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. I’m sure I only got this as my neurologist suggested it. So I’m not sure and have nothing to compare it with! Maybe someone else may respond.

Pam

[marsha2306 in reply to Pam34]

Lyrica is the brand name for Pregabalin.

[redmaple-5]

Pharmacy told me they use a different filler, same amount of drug.

[Pam34 in reply to redmaple-5]

Interesting, I have nothing to compare it with. If you feel the other was better can you ask for it to be changed back?

[Joolsg]

They’re the same. Lyrica is the brand name, pregabalin the generic name. Sometimes I’ll get Lyrica in my monthly prescription rather than another brand name but they work exactly the same.

[Pam34 in reply to Joolsg]

I thought so 😊

[Hidden]

The first drug company to make the drug whose generic name is Pregabalin called its brand name Lyrica. The same as it works for all new drugs, at fist the drug company gets a patent and no one else can manufacture it till the patent expires and that company sets the price.

Once the patent expires other companies are free to manufacture it if they wish. At that time the price usually comes down.

If pregabalin is the prescribed the pharmacy in the UK is then meant to supply the most cost effective preparation which could be Lyrica or something else.

Drs are supposed to always prescribe generically to allow this. In most situations the drugs have no different end effect eg with antibiotics,

One exception is for antiepileptics which Pregabalin also is, as with different manufacturing processes eg speed of action can be different and this can have an effect on the effect on peoples' seizures especially if they are given different preparations at different times, so in these situations brand prescribing eg Lyrica is advised.

So generic Pregabalin should be cheaper. But whether it works this way in your country I don't know.

I imagine a different but related drug Gabapentin may be cheaper.

[rls_optimist]

You might consider going with the much cheaper gabapentin instead of Lyrica. Lyrica is simply a more efficient, more complete way of getting gabapentin into the body (it's a "predrug" for gabapentin). I have tried both, and I find them equally effective, except that I do have to take much more of the gabapentin to get the same effect. For me, 300 mg Lyrica is about equal to 1800-2100 mg gabapentin. That's because the body apparently absorbs less and less of each additional capsule, so you may need to kind of pile it on, as I do. But it's still way cheaper than the equivalent Lyrica, and the excess gabapentin doesn't cause problems since it simply passes through the bowels without being absorbed.

As it happens, I'm currently slowly transitioning back from Lyrica to gabapentin. I have found that Lyrica has stronger side effects for me than equivalent gabapentin, such as blurry vision and occasional imbalance episodes. Others here have also reported having these side effects, but many have no such issues with Lyrica. We're all different.

Discuss with your doctor, if you're inclined to go this route.

[jennymsolo]

Go to needymeds.com I use that for all my meds. It has really saved me a ton.

I agree with RLS_positive about the gabapentin. Lyrica causes weight gain. Gabapentin may cause some swelling but I take potassium and an otc diuretic if it's a problem.

I've had RLS for decades. I take mirapex/pramipexole and it is not expensive.

[wbdetroit]

I know they are very expensive but if you go online to PfizerRxPathways, click on Patient Assistance programs where you should be able to pull up an application for free Lyrica. They go by your income. I'm retired and well under the income limit. I also don't have prescription insurance. Fill out your part, have your physician order what dosage you need, both sign and either mail it back or fax it to them. When approved, Pfizer will have it delivered to your home via FedEx. No need to visit the doctor to pick them up. Good luck.

[Yakester in reply to wbdetroit]

Actually, I’m too afraid of the side effects. Am going to pursue other treatments with less side effects. Hopefully I will find something. 😬🙄

[Hidden in reply to Yakester]

I don't think lyrica and gabapentin have as many or as serious side effects than some other treatments. i was happily and successfully taking lyrica for many years and especially at the lower doses it caused no big problems apart from weight gain. as the dose increased my balance was less good. i maintained working as a dr without problem and with enough energy and brain power to do so even though my sleep wasn't perfect

the reason i post about it is that i am pretty sure i augmented on it which is not widely recognised and i wish i'd known it could occur and so wouldn't have increased the dose.

but i got a good few years from it before i ran into problems.

i also post about cutting down gradually as you get a flare up if you do this too fast and the last 25- 50mg is the hardest.

i also wouldn't take anything if rls was just moderate and is just a nuisance as when it is severe or very severe it is awful and i often wonder if lyrica in the end contributed to my current severity. currently i just take the occasional 30mg codeine but i have dreadful nights non stop

[Eryl]

Alternatively, you might like to investigate a non drug route.

I and others have found that they can control rls by following special diets. The common features of many of these diets is controled carb or Fodmap. For controled carb, you need to avoid foods which cause a large rise in blood sugar. i.e. avoid refined sugar and all sweetened foods like biscuits, cakes, deserts, ice cream, chocolate or other sweets. Also avoid too much deep fied foods like chips.

If avoiding sugar has any effect, try taking a vit b12 supplement as this counteracts inflammation caused by sugar.

I also find that personally, sorbate food preservative sets off my rls. It is often referred to as E202 on food containers and is to be found in 'wet' foods like margarine, dips, and sauces.