Lyrica

I was just prescribed Lyrica. Was wondering if anyone knows...if I take my 150 mg of Lyrica at noon. Can I safely have a cocktail at 5 or 6?

[Amrob]

Hi, ordinarily Lyrica is taken before bedtime, so i'm assuming there is a particular reason you've been prescribed it in the daytime.Personally i find that i can't drink alcohol with Lyrica (i feel very unwell). So, these days i stick to an occasional glass of wine at lunchtime but not otherwise. I have taken Lyrica for approx 7 years with the dose ranging from 150mg to 300mg.

[Hidden in reply to Amrob]

This is only for the holidays, not on a regular basis.

[LotteM in reply to Hidden]

From our shared experiences, Lyrica/pregabalin is not a medicine that works straight away. Usually it takes some 2-4 weeks before it becomes effective for RLS. Also, you need to find a dose that is effective for you. See Amrob's reply. So your remark "only for the holidays" seems a bit strange. But maybe you take it (also) for other reasons than RLS. And what are you going to do after the holidays? And if wine is a trigger, maybe go low or stay away from the wine.

[Hidden in reply to LotteM]

The original question was. Can I have a cocktail around 5 if I take my lyrica at noon. Which is when I take it per my neurologist. Someone responded you shouldn't drink when you take lyrica. I don't drink on a regular basis. I meant during the holidays to have drinks when gathering with friends

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

If you find alcohol doesn't trigger your RLS, then yes, have a drink. I drank when on pregabalin ( Lyrica) and it was fine.Not sure why your neurologist tells you to take lyrica at noon because most people have RLS in the late evening and during the night so it works best taken an hour before bed.

[Hidden in reply to Joolsg]

I take it at noon for neuropathy and RLS. I take 150 lyrica and 4 mg ER ropinirole.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You are oon the maximum dose of Ropinirole and perhaps pregablin is dulling augmentation. ,,,,,,but it will come. What do you do then? I suggest a holiday/reset using an opioid for a month, then restarting at 0.5mg. This is as per the algorithm. I'd like to hear what PN symptoms you are having to take Pregablin at noon. I have night time burning feet and take Pregablin before bed. I only have alcohol on Weddings, Christmas day, New years day and when depressed. It harms if over a glass.

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ron,Are you referring to the 2021 Mayo Clinic Algorithm when you talk about your drug rotation method?

I can't find any reference to drug rotation of DAs in the Algorithm. Do you have the link to the section on drug rotation?

I know of one other nember who has used the rotation method for over 9 years but it recently started to fail and she is now going through terrible augmentation and the reset is no longer working.

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

I agree with others. 4mg is the max dose on big pharma leaflets but RLS experts consider that is far too high and the new advice is to prescribe the lowest possible dose and not to increase. Augmentation will happen so watch for the symptoms- RLS starts earlier, becomes more intense and moves to other body parts. When that starts, reduce the Ropinirole very slowly by 0.25mg every 2 weeks while slowly tapering up the replacement med. Pregabalin is now the preferred first line treatment.I hope you get more years on Ropinirole but the longer you've been taking it, the greater the risk of Augmentation.

Do your research now because most doctors and neurologists have very little knowledge of RLS.

[GrumpyTired]

I take lyrica both in the morning and before bed and have no problem with having some alcohol - but everyone is different.

[Hidden in reply to GrumpyTired]

Good to know . They put the fear of God in you. Thanks

[Butterflysun1 in reply to Hidden]

Everyone is different & they have to put the fear of God in you as you might be one of those who has a marked effect with alcohol. The only way to know is to test it out with a tiny amount on a day it doesn’t matter & when someone can keep a close eye on you and do the same increasing bit by bit till you’ve tried out say a glass. Personally I didn’t find it worth it when I was taking pregabalin.The other comments about eg ropinorole are usually from members who from bitter experience have developed augmentation from dopamine agonists.

Sadly there is a lot not known about RLS even by experts & on this site many folk know about all the pitfalls.

I have peripheral neuropathy too. The whole thing is a frustrating nightmare really. ….. and this is an ex medic talking who was also pretty ignorant at one point ( though not a neurologist )

I wish you peace, comfort & good sleep

[Hidden in reply to Butterflysun1]

Thank you for reply. I agree with the caution of alcohol. I have about 1 cocktail a month but with the holidays, I want to join in and have some holiday cheer. I just started with lyrica. I am always very cautious about drug interactions.

[Munroist]

The advice I had for alcohol and Lyrica is take it easy as they can have similar effects and you can find yourself overdoing it. I was told to get used to the feeling of the Lyrica and then drink less than I normally did at first so I didn’t get caught out. I didn’t have any issues with a couple of beers or glasses of wine. As the effects of Lyrica tend to build over days then in my experience it doesn’t make a huge amount of difference what time of day you take your dose. I used to split it with 150mg at 8am and again at 8pm. Enjoy!

[dklohrey]

Alcohol has always triggered my rls but of course everyone is different. I take a generic version of Lyrica, 300 mg. It does take a number of weeks to get the full effect. I also have found that it works best for me if I take the full 300 mg about 4 hours before bedtime, to have its full effect on my sleep.

[wantokporo]

I don't think Anyone mentioned Sedation. One of the most Common side effects Of lyrica is sedation. So mixing that with alcohol can Be a problem . Also I Think I Noticed you are 71 and you are Being started at 150 rather than building up To that dose? Lyrica has a number of side effects so taking the lowest effective dose is Always best. Good Luck And be safe .

[Clarence1936]

I would be very cautious of Lyrica as well as all the other drugs recommend for RLS. They are very easy to get on but very difficult to get off of. I have found that most of the doctors have heard of these drugs just as you have but they know little about the long term effect. I had a hell of a time getting off RLS drugs and ended the help of my family. I did now realize how crazy I was when I was on them. They found me a good doctor and I am now down to 1 Pramipex0le 0.5MG at night and it does more than all the other drugs did together.

I would go in and tell doctor that what I was taking was not working anymore and he would immediately recommend something else. Be very careful.