Hey. I just found this site. I was looking to find out side-effects on taking gabapentin and lyrica together and it brought me here. Quick infor. Doc diagnosed me with fibromyalgia.....(I dont know though..) had me on gabapentin300 3x, and cyclobenzaprine(flexeril) at bed. Acouple days ago he told me to stop the flexeril and start the lyrica 75 twice a day with the gabapentin. Now I'm wide awake.....flying at night.
The combo of gabapentin and flexeril had me just about stuttering and I couldnt think proper....I was getting like a zombie. This combo of gabapentin and lyrica has me flyin at nite...but its not helping me any. I cant think good enough to spell simple words, and the pain and numbing is still here!!!!!!!!!!
I'm guessing the lack of sleep could count on my spelling problems tonite. Anyone out there had any bad side-affects with taking the two?

Hi lujazz! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

Sorry for your sleep and prescription problems. I don't have any answer for you, but I did do a search using gaba and lyrica.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/se...g_searchinfo=1

Maybe you can find some answers there. Good luck to you! Hope you get some sleep tonight!

Yes! Welcome lujazz
I'm sorry that I don't have an answer!! In fact I didn't know that one could take both meds- aren't they both anticonvulsants? Wouldn't it be like taking Tylenol AND Advil for a headache??

I have been on both Lyrica and Gabapentin but never at the same time. My Pain Management Doctor told me that you shouldn't take them both together so he weaned me off the Gabapentin and then put me on Lyrica.

I also had problems with sleeping whilst on both the Lyrica and the Gabapentin. It would take me hours to fall asleep and when I eventually did, I would never reach deep sleep and would wake up lots during the night. One of the main side effects I had from the Lyrica was weight gain, I put on about 25lbs during the 3 months I was on it.

I would speak to your Doctor and see if he can suggest anything. I can't understand why he has put you on both Lyrica and Gabapentin at the same time has my Doctor said you shouldn't do that has it is too risky.

I hope you get things sorted soon and Welcome to Neurotalk!!

Alison

I have CRPS type II due to a venipuncture nerve injury to my right arm that occurred 3+ years ago. In that time, my CRPS has spread to the entire left side of my body, and has worsened in severity.

I've been taking 600 mg gabapentin 3X a day, with the usual side effects ("brain fog", slow metabolism, fatigue), including weight gain of 30 pounds the first year, and no weight gain since then. I often have finding the correct words to say, which I think is called aphasia.

About 8-9 months ago, while under the care of my regular neurologist, my pain was no longer under control and I couldn't sleep, and I found a wonderful new pain doc. He often recommends combining gabapentin and Lyrica, and put me on 60 mg/day Lyrica (before bed) in addition to the 1800 mg/day gabapentin.

The combination has worked well to keep the pain in check most of the time, and also has helped greatly with sleeping. Since I take the Lyrica only before bed and I was already taking so much gabapentin, I did not notice any increased side effects compared to Lyrica alone.

Lyrica is an antidepressant, not an anticonvulsant, and the mechanism of action is very different than gabapentin.

Just thought this might help.... Gabapentin is the generic name for Neurontin which is manufactured by Pfizer Corporation... When Pfizer lost the exclusive patent for Neurontin, the generic form became available... at that time Pfizer did not want to lose their hold on the market therefore developed Lyrica. Lyrica (Pregabalin) is a essentially a second generation of Neurontin. You can find more information at www.pfizer.com

Prescribing info w/chemical info:

Lyrica: http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_lyrica.pdf

Neurontin: http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_neurontin.pdf

LYRICA: http://www.drugs.com/lyrica.html
Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Lyrica also affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system.
Lyrica is used to control seizures and to treat fibromyalgia. It is also used to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) or herpes zoster (post-herpetic neuralgia).
Lyrica may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.



GABAPENTIN: http://www.drugs.com/gabapentin.html
Gabapentin affects chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of seizures and some types of nerve pain. The exact way that gabapentin works to prevent seizures and nerve pain is unknown.
Gabapentin is used with other drugs in the treatment of some types of seizures associated with epilepsy and for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain caused by the herpes zoster virus or shingles infection).
Gabapentin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

You said "Lyrica is an antidepressant, not an anticonvulsant, and the mechanism of action is very different than gabapentin."

Lyrica (pregabalin) is NOT an antidepressant it IS an anticonvulsant. "Pregabalin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Pregabalin also affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system." this is a quote from a web site but I'm unable to put the link here because this system won't let me

It's important when sharing information that we share correct information so as not to mislead folks. It's very easy to research on the internet.

I took gabapentin and lyrica together for a while last fall. I had both a neurologist and a physiatrist (pain doctor) and one prescribed gabapantin and the other liked lyrica. I was taking gabapentin 300x4 and lyrica 50x4. I took 2 mg of xanax to sleep each night so I was ok there, but I was moronic! I ditched the lyrica and added 2 more gabapentin. I'm still moronic.

Switch back to Lyrica, it is definitely more effective if you have had your condition for more than a year or so. Gabapentin is fine for the beginning but you will find that after awhile it is not longer effective. Lyrica at 50X4 is a rather low dose. I would try 100 X2. I have had my disease for 8 years and only 200mg x2 is adequate.

I would like to try a switch to Lyrica, in fact my Neuro doc wants this, but the FDA hasn't approved this for SFN (it has for your Dx though) and therefore, my insurance company won't cover it, and its way too expensive for me to pay it all! I have been taking 3600mg a day of Neurontin for a couple years now.