Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr John Motl MD
Don’t stop Lyrica suddenly. The FDA label calls for a gradual taper over at least 1 week, guided by your prescriber.
- Common withdrawal symptoms
- Insomnia, nausea, headache, anxiety, sweating, and diarrhea
- Biggest risk
- More frequent seizures if you take it for epilepsy and stop quickly
- Common side effects
- Dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, swelling, blurred vision, weight gain, trouble thinking
- Controlled substance
- Schedule V in the US
- At ATMC
- Individualized, medically supervised tapering in a residential setting
Table of contents (9)
What is Lyrica?
Lyrica is the brand name for pregabalin. In the US it is approved for nerve pain from diabetes, shingles, and spinal cord injury, for fibromyalgia, and as an add-on treatment for partial-onset seizures.1 Doctors also prescribe it off-label, including for anxiety and sleep.
Pregabalin is a close relative of gabapentin (Neurontin). Both are often called gabapentinoids. Many people take Lyrica for months or years, and the body adjusts to it over that time. That adjustment is why stopping can bring on withdrawal symptoms.
Lyrica withdrawal symptoms
The FDA label lists these symptoms in people who stopped Lyrica suddenly or quickly:1
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Heavy sweating
- Diarrhea
Some people also notice that the problem Lyrica was treating comes back, such as nerve pain or anxiety. That can be hard to tell apart from withdrawal, which is one reason a taper works best with someone watching how you respond.
Why stopping suddenly is risky
The label advises tapering Lyrica gradually over at least 1 week rather than stopping all at once.1 For people who take it for epilepsy, stopping quickly can increase how often seizures happen.
The label also notes that, like other antiseizure drugs, pregabalin carries a warning about suicidal thoughts and behavior. In pooled studies of these drugs, the risk was about twice that of placebo.1 Watch for new or worsening depression, mood changes, or thoughts of self-harm while starting, changing, or stopping Lyrica, and tell your prescriber right away if they appear.
One week is the label’s minimum, not a target. After long-term use or at higher doses, your prescriber may plan a slower taper.
Lyrica side effects
The most common side effects in adults are dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, swelling, blurred vision, weight gain, and trouble thinking clearly.1
Two are worth a closer look:
- Weight gain. In clinical trials, 9% of people on Lyrica gained 7% or more of their body weight, compared with 2% on placebo.1
- Swelling. Swelling in the hands, legs, and feet (peripheral edema) affected 6% of people on Lyrica, compared with 2% on placebo.1
Sleepiness and dizziness can affect driving and raise the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
Lyrica, opioids, and breathing problems
In December 2019, the FDA warned that gabapentin and pregabalin can cause serious breathing problems in some people.2 The risk is highest for people who:
- Also take opioid pain medication or other drugs that slow the central nervous system, such as benzodiazepines
- Have lung conditions such as COPD
- Are older adults
Get medical help right away for confusion, unusual dizziness or sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, or bluish lips, fingers, or toes.2 If you take Lyrica with a benzodiazepine or an opioid, it’s worth reviewing that combination with your prescriber.
Dependence and misuse
Lyrica is a Schedule V controlled substance in the US. In clinical trials, 4% of people on Lyrica reported euphoria, compared with 1% on placebo.1
Most people who take Lyrica take it as prescribed. Physical dependence, where the body has adjusted and withdrawal happens on stopping, can develop with normal use and is different from addiction. Misuse does happen, though. A systematic review found the risk is highest in people with a history of substance use, especially opioid use.3
How to come off Lyrica safely
If you want to stop or lower your dose, start with a conversation with your prescriber. A good plan usually covers:
- Why you take it. Coming off a seizure medication needs a different plan than coming off a pain or anxiety prescription.
- Your other medications. Opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, and antidepressants all affect how a taper should go.
- The pace. Tapers are individualized. Your prescriber can slow down or pause if symptoms become hard to manage.
- What else supports you. Sleep, nutrition, movement, and non-drug options for pain or anxiety can make the process easier.
Lyrica can have a real place in treatment, and lowering the dose isn’t right for everyone. The goal is a decision you make with good information and support, not a sudden stop.
How ATMC helps with Lyrica tapering
At Alternative to Meds Center, clients taper under medical supervision at our residence in Sedona, Arizona. Our Medical Director describes how the team works:
“Our medical and nursing teams collaborate closely to monitor each client’s tapering plan, assess progress, and make adjustments as clinically indicated. The team regularly evaluates symptoms, sleep patterns, mood, and overall well-being to support a safe and individualized process. Our naturopathic team provides complementary support through individualized supplementation and supportive wellness therapies to help clients manage symptoms that may arise during tapering.”
Kimberli Galloway, PMHNP-BC, Medical Director
Each stay starts with lab testing, so the team can look for physical problems that affect pain, sleep, and mood. Clients stay about 60 days on average. For people who first came to Lyrica for anxiety, we also offer holistic support for anxiety alongside the taper.
Learn more about our inpatient medication tapering.
Get help
If you’ve tried to lower your Lyrica dose and had a hard time, or you’re not sure where to start, our admissions team can talk through your situation.
Talk to our admissions team. Ask about tapering Lyrica, what a stay looks like, and insurance. Family members are welcome to call.
Call (888) 907-7075Free, confidential consultation
Lyrica withdrawal FAQs
Sources:
1. Pfizer. LYRICA (pregabalin) prescribing information. New York, NY: Pfizer; revised 2020. [cited 2026 Oct 15]
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns about serious breathing problems with seizure and nerve pain medicines gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica, Lyrica CR). Drug Safety Communication. December 19, 2019. [cited 2026 Oct 15]
3. Evoy KE, Morrison MD, Saklad SR. Abuse and Misuse of Pregabalin and Gabapentin. Drugs. 2017 Mar;77(4):403-426. PMID: 28144823. [cited 2026 Oct 15]
Originally Published October 15, 2026 by Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Dr. John Motl, M.D.
Dr. Motl is currently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, and Board eligible in Neurology and licensed in the state of Arizona. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Motl has studied Medical Acupuncture at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at U.C.L.A.
Social Profile: LinkedIn
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.