How Does Lyrica Works and Side Effects
How does Lyrica work for Fibromyalgia?
In various articles published in the Journal of Pain Research, in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012, Lyrica is said to help reduce overall body pain, improve sleep, reduce fatigue and increase quality of life in patients. In one particular article published in the Journal of Pain Research, Lyrica works by blocking a particular calcium channel thereby interfering with the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. In layman’s term, it reduces excitatory nerve activity which is linked to heightening pain sensitivity. However, since the actual cause of fibromyalgia is still undetermined, this explanation concluded by various research remains a theory.
Side Effects
In a later research published in 2010 to investigate the efficiency, safety and side effects of the drug, pregabalin is found to cause various problems in patients such as dizziness, faint, disorientation, weight gain, peripheral edema, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Pregabalin also increases the risk of depression or worsen existing depression in fibromyalgia patients leading to suicidal thoughts.
Based on 5 placebo-controlled trials with a total participants of 3800, it is observed that the side effects of the drug has a linear relationship with the dosage of the drug. Higher doses are generally found to cause more side effects and increase severity of the side effects. Nevertheless, the side effects experience by each individual is non-universal and based on individual tolerability.
Like what you read? Pass it around:
