An Introduction to Pregabalin Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
pregabalin (
Lyrica®); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate pregabalin quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with pregabalin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of pregabalin side effects with you.)
Common Pregabalin Side Effects
Pregabalin has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, some of the most common side effects of pregabalin included:
- Dizziness -- in up to 45 percent of people
- Drowsiness -- up to 28 percent
- Coordination problems -- up to 20 percent
- Weight gain -- up to 16 percent (see Lyrica and Weight Gain)
- Dry mouth -- up to 15 percent (see Lyrica and Dry Mouth)
- Infections -- up to 14 percent
- Headaches -- up to 14 percent
- Accidental injury -- up to 11 percent
- Shakiness (tremors) -- up to 11 percent.
Some other common pregabalin side effects, occurring in 1 percent to 10 percent of people, included:
- Memory loss, problems concentrating, or slow thinking
- Constipation
- Speech problems
- Weakness
- Increased appetite
- Problems walking
- Twitching
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Chest pain
- Gas
- Unexplained pleasant or happy feelings (euphoria)
- Vomiting
- Back pain
- Bladder control problems
- Flu-like symptoms (such as body aches and chills)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Nervousness
- Fatigue
- Feeling abnormal or drunk
- Sinus infections
- Joint pain
- Muscle spasm.
