Lyrica (Pregabalin) Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment

Lyrica (pregabalin) can be an effective prescription medication for nerve pain and certain seizure disorders, but stopping it suddenly isn’t always easy.¹

When your body has adjusted to Lyrica, quitting “cold turkey” or dropping your dose too quickly can lead to withdrawal symptoms that range from uncomfortable to serious complications, including seizures or severe mood changes.

Understanding what withdrawal can look like and how long it may last can help you plan a safer next step. This page will help you learn more about Lyrica withdrawal and treatment options that can make detox safer.

If you or someone you love is struggling with Lyrica misuse or dependence, treatment can reduce risks and improve long-term recovery outcomes.

What Is Lyrica?

Lyrica (pregabalin) is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants.

Lyrica is used to treat cases of nerve pain associated with damaged nerves, diabetes, fibromyalgia, or shingles. Drugs like Lyrica work by effectively reducing the pain signals released by affected or damaged nerves.¹

What Is Lyrica Withdrawal?

You may be wondering whether you can stop taking pregabalin suddenly. Perhaps you want to find out how to withdraw from Lyrica. Going "cold turkey," drastically decreasing, or stopping Lyrica suddenly can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms or side effects.¹

In some cases, withdrawal symptoms when a person comes off Lyrica can become life-threatening and require medical care. This is why it's advised to detox from Lyrica under the supervision of a doctor or another healthcare professional.

Symptoms of Lyrica Withdrawal

Pregabalin withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines.²

The severity of side effects of Lyrica withdrawal can vary based on how long the medication was used, the dose, and whether the person was using other substances. People who have used very high doses of Lyrica, or who have been on the medication for an extended period of time, may encounter more severe withdrawal symptoms.

Those who have taken a lower dose or used Lyrica for a short period of time may experience mild withdrawal symptoms or no symptoms at all when quitting Lyrica.

Signs and symptoms of Lyrica withdrawal can include:^1,3,4,5

• Headaches.
• Anxiety.
• Confusion.
• Agitation.
• Sweating.
• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.
• Seizures.
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Cravings.
• Behavioral changes.
• Mood changes.
• Depression.
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.

Complications of Lyrica Withdrawal

Lyrica withdrawal symptoms can cause complications, some of which can be life-threatening. Complications of Lyrica withdrawal include:

• Dehydration. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and increased sweating can lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
• Heart problems. Rapid heartbeat or palpitations can lead to cardiac issues that can become life-threatening.
• Seizures. Since Lyrica can be used to manage seizures, abruptly stopping the medication can lead to a recurrence of seizures, which can be fatal.
• Overdose. Similar to other drugs, rapidly stopping use of Lyrica can lead to strong cravings and relapse, which can increase the likelihood of overdose.
• Suicidal thoughts. In addition, depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior are common psychological withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous.⁵ Moreover, feelings of anxiety and depression increase the chances of relapse and overdose.

Lyrica Withdrawal Timeline

You may be wondering what the pregabalin withdrawal timeline is like or how long Lyrica withdrawal lasts. Acute Lyrica withdrawal symptoms last for approximately 1-2 days when use of the drug is suddenly stopped.² However, residual symptoms may remain for several weeks.³

Users should slowly taper off Lyrica under the care of a medical professional. This is to ease the intensity of the symptoms of withdrawal from Lyrica.² As mentioned above, the duration of detox may be more pronounced or prolonged in people who have used large amounts or who have taken Lyrica over an extended period of time.

Causes of Lyrica Withdrawal Symptoms

Over time, chronic use of Lyrica can lead to tolerance. The brain and body become accustomed to Lyrica use and eventually are desensitized to the effects of the drug. Once an individual has developed a tolerance, a higher dose is required to attain the desired results, whether those results are relief of seizures or pain or a euphoric high.

Continued use of Lyrica can also lead to physical dependence, meaning that the individual requires a specific amount of Lyrica in their system to function normally. Without this amount of Lyrica, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms.

Lyrica Withdrawal Treatment

Participating in professional detox treatment can ensure a safe and comfortable withdrawal period to begin the recovery process when you quit pregabalin.

Detox or withdrawal should be followed by participation in a formal addiction treatment program to increase the likelihood of long-term recovery.⁶

Participating in a formal Lyrica addiction treatment program can help to strengthen and solidify recovery, aid in the development of a sober support network, develop a sense of accountability, and help a person learn and practice relapse prevention techniques that are helpful in maintaining long-term sobriety. Formal treatment also provides peer support, professional therapeutic techniques, and medical or psychiatric support services.

Addiction is a different experience for each person, and various types of treatment are available.

Treatment for Lyrica addiction can include:⁶

• Detox facilities: These clinics provide a safe, medically supervised environment where the person can detox safely from Lyrica. Medical and counseling professionals are on hand to provide support for the duration of detox and monitor people for risks or complications.
• Inpatient treatment: Treatment occurs in a residential facility where recovering Lyrica users stay for varying lengths of time, from a period of 28 days to 60 days or 90 days. The facility provides a safe and structured sober environment where people receive intensive group and individual therapy sessions, as well as medical and psychiatric monitoring if necessary.
• Partial hospitalization: This type of treatment provides medical care and intensive individual and group therapy sessions while allowing people to live outside of the facility and still attend to family and home responsibilities. Partial hospitalization usually requires more of a time commitment than standard outpatient care.
• Outpatient treatment: Outpatient substance abuse recovery programs allow people to take care of demands at work, school, and home while receiving top-quality treatment in both group and individual formats. Depending on the type of outpatient program, access to psychiatric and medical support may also be provided.

Medications for Lyrica Withdrawal

A lot of people wonder how to wean off Lyrica, but Lyrica withdrawal is fairly new to the addiction treatment community, and a formal treatment protocol has not been established.

According to addiction treatment professionals, Lyrica withdrawal is safest when it’s medically supervised. Clinicians may use a gradual, individualized dose reduction to help lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, rather than stopping abruptly.² It's important not to attempt to taper on your own—talk with a doctor or detox provider to determine the safest plan for your situation.²

Additionally, treatment professionals may use certain medications to manage some of the specific symptoms of withdrawal.²

Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure, but it also works as a mild sedative. It's sometimes used to manage symptoms of alcohol, opioid, and Lyrica withdrawal and can help to manage the agitation due to withdrawal.³

Dexmedetomidine is another prescription medication with similar effects to clonidine. Because of its high cost and marked hypotensive potential, dexmedetomidine is considered a second-line medication only if clonidine is not available or does not have the desired effects.³

At this point, neither of these medications has been studied enough to be considered evidence-based medication-assisted treatments.

Medical detox professionals may prescribe other medications to treat symptoms of withdrawal, including the following:

• Seizures: If someone was prescribed Lyrica for seizures or has experienced seizures as part of the withdrawal process, it is essential to prescribe anti-seizure medication to ensure continued health and safety.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Nausea can be managed with specific medications, such as Zofran. Diarrhea or upset stomach can be treated with Imodium.
• Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep is a common issue with Lyrica withdrawal. Medical detox professionals may prescribe sleep aids that are not habit-forming and have a low potential for abuse, such as trazodone.

How to Find Support for Lyrica Withdrawal or Misuse

If you’re struggling with Lyrica dependence or worried about withdrawal symptoms, help is available. As mentioned, safely stopping Lyrica often requires medical guidance, and a structured treatment program can make the process more comfortable while reducing the risk of complications.

Working with trained professionals can help you manage symptoms, reduce risks, and begin recovery with more confidence and stability. Recovery.com can help you explore treatment options, compare levels of care, and find a program that fits your needs today.