My doctor has me on 600mg of Neurontin 3x a day AND 100mg of Lyrica 3x a day for fibromyalgia. I'm curious about the side effects. I have serious dizzy spells, blurred(double) vision, trouble with balance, major memory loss issues and I feel exhausted all day. Plus, I don't really have any relief from the pain. I know I should talk to my doctor, and I will. Just curious if anyone else has experiencd this or if it could possibly be a reaction from other medications I'm also on. No narcotics, btw. Thank you.
Should I be taking Lyrica and Neurontin together?
Question posted by AParsons on 22 Jan 2013
Last updated on 22 June 2019
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22 Answers Page 2
Inactive
23 Jan 2013
I was on Cymbalta and Lyrica at the same time (Cymbalta is very similar in effect to Lyrica, Neurontin and Savella, but Cymbalta is marketed as an anti-depressant). My pharmacist, who I see for Wellness Counseling (nutrition & supplements) had a fit when she learned I was on both. I had obtained one of them from the mail-order pharmacy or my pharmacist would've caught this sooner. She said this type medication, which helps with nerve pain in my case, causes the brain to scramble signals from the nerves. It causes the medication to be deposited in your fat cells and, over time, each of these meds can also cause more neuropathy. So her advice, as well as the head pharmacist, was to get off one or the other. - ElizaJane
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
That's what I'm getting at. Will def be calling them tomorrow, if I remember to lol.
butterflylynn
23 Jan 2013
I have a Question, how long have you been on each of these drugs ?
I have taken both of these drugs together for about 10yrs & never had a problem.
I take 900mg 3 times day & lyrica 75, mg. twice a day.
I take the Neurontin/Gabapentin my Hot flashes & Neuropathy. I take the lyrica for my Fibromyalgia & never have had am issue with
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
I have been on Neurontin for a little over a month but lyrica since the 14th. I'm on 600 mg 3x a day and 100mg 3x a day. If they are basically the same thing than why give someone both? That's 2100 mg a day on top of 3 other daily meds. I'm going to call them.
Packersfan1978
28 Jan 2015
Lyrica has not been available for ten years... it was released by the FDA in 2007
bitteroptimist
5 Jan 2017
I was put on Lyrica close to 2004... so I don't know when it was officially released, but I know I was taking it WAY before 2007...
Cr8r
6 Nov 2017
Someone challenged your statement about being on Lyrica for 10 years citing that it didn’t come out until 2007 but you said you’ve been on it since 2004. To clarify Lyrica did come out into thousand four and was approved for the treatment of neuropathy pain. In 2007 the FDA approved for the use of treating fibromyalgia. ( which is a nerve pain )
Also I keep reading that people say the Lyrica and Neurontin or interview process. They are not anti-depressants. They help with nerve pain. Depression can come with chronic pain and if you take care of the pain sometimes the depression is relieved. But that’s because of the pain relief not because of the medication being an anti depressants
Somewhere I also Read a comment about Mobic and into the process. Mobic is an NSAID, it is an antiinflammatory medication
I take Mobic. It’s not a miracle drug that removes all pain. But it works the best and reducing pain and I know that because when I have to stop at before a surgery Im miserable.
I was given Many of these medications at one time or another and found I cannot tolerate lyrica or Neurontin or gabapentin or tramadol. They all make me dizzy or loopy or agitated or all of the above.
Final words for anybody reading this blog is that if any medication makes you dizzy — do not drive!.
Cr8r
6 Nov 2017
I don’t know how to edit my comment but AutoCorrect change something that I meant to say that lyrica and Neurontin are not anti-depressants. I don’t know how AutoCorrect changed it to “interview”
papasam
23 Jan 2013
I would clarify this with your doctor, there are some serious side effects from taking the 2 drugs together. Only your doctor can make the best decision for you.
Tee6759
23 Jan 2013
You need to talk to your doctor immediately. They are the best ones to help you make a decision on which 1 help you more. I was prescribed lyrica and suffered many of the side effects that you have described. I was then switch 2 1800 milligrams of neurontin. the side effects disappeared after starting the neurontin and stopping the lyrica. I would not recommend making any changes without talking to your doctor first. They are both strong antidepressant drugs. You may not be able to take both at the same time. But again only your doctor can make that decision. It's in your best interest to follow up with your physician as soon as possible. I hope you find the answers you need.
Seeking peace,
Tee
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
Thy are both anti depressants?? No wonder I'm messed up. An old dr of mine got confused, wasn't his level of expertise but he gave me an antidepressant. I lost a week of my life and two weeks of work. I remember sitting on the porch crying my eyes out and didn't know why but couldn't quit for days. Then I blacked out, obviously going to pee considering the ruffled rug as if I'd tripped, and the huge purple and black knot in the middle of my forehead w two black eyes. Don't remember it but I looked like a Klingon from Star Trek for days. Finally got them to give me Klonopin to balance me out and after that I was fine. I have mild anxiety but if given antidepressants it usually doesn't end well. No suicidal thoughts or anything like that. Just dizziness and blackouts and unintentional injuries I myself. I will def call the other dr in that office about seeing him instead and getting off this stuff. Thanks so much.
Tee6759
23 Jan 2013
Yes you should definitely consult your doctor and let him know how you're feeling. I can understand the dizziness, the blackout, and the feeling of being so unstable which is part of the medication side effects. I have friended you so if you ever want to talk, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to discuss my experiences with the two drugs. Take care and I hope you get the results that you really need. If there's anything I can do to help out, just let me know. I want you to know you are not alone in the situation.
In peace,
Tee
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
You have helped a lot already. Thank you Tee!
sherishort
11 April 2014
I am currently on Neurontin and Lyrica as well as Celebrex. I started out with Neurontin and tramadol (which did nothing) and then Mobic (which also did nothing - did not touch my pain) and so she added Lyrica which helped immediately... but I was still having a lot of pain - mostly in my legs (osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia) - I am doing so much better now... I've been in Physical Therapy for the past 6 weeks and although my legs are getting stronger, I still have a lot of pain. Without the combo of N/L and Celebrex, I'm in pain at about a 9 out of 10 pain scale. While the meds are in my system, it settles down to a bearable if not almost no pain... I know I don't want to be on meds forever, but for now, the meds have improved my quality of life. OH - by the way, evertime I get my refills, the pharmacist asks me to sign a form indicating that I realize I'm on 2 meds that are the same type - the neurontin and Lyrica.
sherishort
11 April 2014
To add to my other comment, my dosages are Lyrica 100mg 2xday, Neurontin 300mg 3x day and 200mg of celebrex 1x day.
Packersfan1978
28 Jan 2015
Just to clear something up: Neurontin and Lyrica are NOT antidepressants- they are anticonvulsants
cbrewer404
14 Sep 2016
i took my last dose of time release brand name
neurontin. it caused my hands and feet to swell
and had bad hot flashes. doctor said i was
having a elergic reaction. so he just now gave me lyrica 150mg twice a day. but i took the time
release neurontin at lunch time today.
can i take the lyrica now. its about 7pm
and hurting but im afraid to take it.
please let me no.
thanks cbrewer
tammysundber
21 July 2017
I don't have any problems with lyrica and it really helps with the nerve pain, if I don't skip doses. I have severe nerve pain in and on my vagina, due to 9 vaginal surgeries, but the gabapentin they just put me on along with the lyrica yesterday, is giving me dizzy spells, confusion, memory loss, and headache, so I would say it's the gabapentin.
imjacquim
8 Sep 2017
And just to present the opposite experience, I had been taking 400 mg neurontin for mood, so when I ran into a pain problem, we upped it to 1600mg and I had TERRIBLE side effects (of a drug I tolerated well for 15 years or so). I switched to Lyrica and side effects disappeared. So we are all different. All we can do i try to help each other make our way through :)
Darling Di
23 Jan 2013
I've got to go somewhere in a minute but I wanted to give you a quick answer from my experience.
I've taken both at the same rime as prescribed by my doctor. I've stayed on Lyrica since 2006.
Feel free to ask me any other questions & I'll be happy to answer them when I'm back available! All the best!, Di
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
I have a friend that thinks my problems are the Lyrica. I generally react to meds the same as my mother does. Lyrica doesn't do much for her so she's on Sevella. It's not done much for my pain at all. I have spasms now, twitches, very scary dizzy spells w blurred and double vision. I think it's the Neurontin causing this or maybe the combination of meds. I also have ambien to sleep, not new, been on it a while, and Dipentum for colitis. He also gave me tramadol which does nothing and Mobic??? Anti inflammatory. I've taken those for yrs they so nothing either. I don't want to be on narcotics for my entire life but I want to stop hurting and I want some quality of life. I'm afraid to drive bc I don't know when I'm going to get dizzy and see three-ten lines in the road. Help. Thanks.
Darling Di
23 Jan 2013
Your problems very well may be from the Lyrica. I went thru severe side effects when I first started Lyrica however I was on a lot of other meds too so I suspected it was the Lyrica but stuck with it as it helped my fibro pains so much & I got thru the side effects but it took a long time, probably close to a year. If you just started it on Jan 14 & your already on 100mgs 3x a day that seems likes pretty high dose fast! I noticed others are saying Lyrica is an antidepressant & I've heard others say that but to my knowledge that is not considered to be one of the on label uses. Its mainly for nerve pain, either for FM or diabetic neuropathy, there's a couple other uses but read up about it here on drugs.com- i will re-read it myself to make sure I'm not mistaken.
Definitely talking to your doc is best & finding a physician that you like, trust & feel is competently treating you is obviously hugely important! I see a neurologist for FM & other issues, pain specialists & neurosurgeons for my neck & back problems. You didn't mention if your doc was in a specialty but i have found it so important. I used to see a physiatrist who was so great but she closed her practice & acts now as the Director of the hospital's inpatient rehabilitation hospital. I haven't found another physiatrist yet but think they can be a godsend to people who are in chronic pain. Wishing you well, Di
Darling Di
23 Jan 2013
I just re-read about Lyrica on drugs.com & it is an anti-convulsant med which can be used to treat seizures. No where did it say it's an antidepressant although it did say it can be used for other conditions but the main on-label uses outside of seizures are: fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, herpes zoster, and pain due to spinal cord injury. I'm going to read what the Lyrica website says as well & I'll let you know if it mentions being used as an antidepressant. It certainly could possibly be used as such but so far it doesn't seem to be one of the main uses.
Darling Di
23 Jan 2013
Well, for some weird reason I can't get onto the Lyrica website but on Wikipedia it says that Lyrica is similar acting to benzodiazepines. In the European Union (not US) it has been approved for Generalized Anxiety Disorder & because it does not have a high potential for abuse as benzodiazepines do some doctors prefer to prescribe Lyrica. Maybe that's what your doc had in mind for treating your anxiety. I have anxiety as well & I have not ever thought Lyrica has helped it & I'm on other medicine for anxiety. In the US it was the 1st med that the FDA approved specifically for Fibromyalgia & then 2nd was Cymbalta which is an antidepressant. Hope this info helps. If you have any questions about my experience with Lyrica &/or Neurontin I'm happy to discuss it more & anything else. Hope you got in touch with your doc. ~ Di :)
AParsons
24 Jan 2013
I'm going to an Advanced Spine and Pain Clinic. The Dr is technically a back pain overall pain dr. Got my other filled yesterday bc I had to wait a wk for it. Tramadol two at a time 3x a day also. Don't remember mg amount. I was sent there by my neurosurgeon bc he said he wouldn't do surgery yet so wanted my pain treated and that's when they diagnosed fibro also. Bc of my ins I have to have referrals. Can't go to specialists without dr sending me there.
Suede21
14 July 2013
I take Gapapentin and Lyrica together now for back pain but at one point I was just taking Lyrica and it had some weird side affects... it makes it difficult to talk and makes me stutter. Anyone else experience this?
jenny D
7 July 2014
Lyrica causes side effects similar to being intoxicated, blurred vision, and swelling of the hands and feet. If any of these symptoms are happening, call your phycisian as these are serious. Lyrica isnt for everyone. Neuronton makes the vision worse as well. Niether are antidepressants. I would suggest cymbalta and savella for you. If your doctor doesnt agree or listen to you, get a new one as many doctors dont know about prescriptions, they just hand them out. I also recommend you go to a pain clinic to get your pain under control. No one wants to be on narcotics, but if thats what it takes to manage your pain you shouldnt be ashamed to take them. Its your life, if theres no quality in your life, you need to make a change.
purrmaster
21 July 2014
Neurontin (aka gabapentin (the generic for Neurontin) and Lyrica are NOT antidepressants. Just look them up on google or ask pharmacist. Also remember that doctors are not pharmacists and pharmacists re not doctors. but regarding medications, ask the pharmacist your questions especially while taking many drugs at the same time.
azabigail
23 Feb 2015
I don't think taking both Lyrica and Gabapentin (Neurontin) is the problem. I think the doses are too high, especially the Gabapentin. When I was first prescribed Gabapentin,( I was started at 100mg, working up to 300, etc), after the third day I woke up feeling dizzy and loopy, kind of like drunk, but not intoxicated. I could not walk without running into things, I couldn't finish a thought, I had an odd headache, and I couldn't focus. The Dr. decided to start the treatment over again with a lower starting dose of 50mg working up to 300, and I ended up staying at 300mg. After a few months I started also taking Lyrica, starting at 50mg and working up to 200mg which has been working well for me. The reason I'm adding my comment is because your side affects sounded exactly like mine when I was given doses of Gabapentin (Neurontin) that were too high for me. The tiredness might be from too much Lyrica, or just too many drugs for your system to process out.
5 different meds, with these two at high doses everyday is a lot for a body to process out. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, water is best, take walks when you can, and don't eat too many carbs. Also ask your doc about starting your Neurontin treatment over again, but at smaller doses and working up until you feel that it's helping and you're not getting the side affects. Hope this helps.
tracewmson
12 Dec 2017
I know this is many years later... I just wanted you to know that I ask my pharmacist was it okay to take gabapentin with my Lyrica. I take 150 milligrams mg of Lyrica twice a day and 800 mg of Gabapentin twice a day. I have had no problems from it nor have I had any side effects.
fastcarbon
23 Jan 2013
I have taken both but not together and can tell you the side effects are all common with either drug. Lyrica is not as bad on short term memory problems as Neurontin/ Gabapentin but with Lyrica I must use a cane due to the instability. This is apparently the problem with all anti-convulsant drugs per my Doc as I have requested substitutes. My only other option was narcotics which quite frankly don't work as well as Lyrica. Neurontin basically turned me into a zombie.Definitely discuss this with your doctor as the drugs are pretty much the same thing but Lyrica usually requires smaller doses.
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
I was afraid it was more the Neurontin but had someone tell me Lyrica so wanted other opinions. I'm in enough pain without having the twitching and dizzy spells though I don't know if I'd call that wild ride a dizzy spell. Thank you.
butterflylynn
25 Jan 2013
Aparsons,
I just want to clear up some confusion going on.
Neurontin/Gabapentin & Lyrica are Neither one listed & labeled as Anti-depressants.
Cymbalta is an Anti-depressant which I would talk with your Dr. about possibly going on that & stripping the Lyrica especially since ity sounds like you are having side effects to the Lyrica as the way you are describing your new issues are listed as Side Effects for Lyrica.
There are several people that are able (like myself) that can tolerate taking both drugs without the side effects. But it does sound like you need to address this with your Dr. ASAP because if you are having side effects like this it could be dangerous.
But make sure to ask about the Cymbalta & see if your dr. might want to give you this instead of the Lyrica.
And make sure to ask your Dr. for samples of the Cymbalta if he decides to put you on it. Most Drs. have alot of samples of Cymbalta. That way you can Try the Cymbalta before you spend more money on another med that may not work for you.
Best of luck. Kathy
AParsons
25 Jan 2013
Kathy, thank you for the info. Unfortunately, I'm afraid to try the Cymbalta bc I have anxiety not depression so anti depressants have an adverse effect. The last time a dr gave me anti depressants I lost it. Literally. Couldn't stop crying. Lost a whole week. Don't remember a thing after the first few days. I ended up w a huge knot and massive bruise on my forehead and two black eyes from apparently falling while going into the bathroom. We think I hit the toilet when I went down. Looked like a Klingon from Star Trek for weeks. It was awful. They almost put me in a 'hospital' for a week til the meds got out of my system. Had to get a script for Klonopin to counteract it. I'll ask him about it but I'll probably see about the Savella instead.
DLC36
13 May 2013
After going through 5 neurologist I have finally found one that not only a problem solver but also that cares. I have partial complex seizures and for many years I have a painful stiff neck and tightness in my legs she has brought me down from 5 meds to only 2 which has controlled my seizures better. She just started me on lyrica while she decresed my neurontin. I never realized that neurontin caused short term memory. It has been really bad for me. Bad enough that it has kept me from socializing with too many people. I would walk away feeling really stupid especially when you show up at your childs event at the wrong time. But with just a week of being on lyrica at 75mg twice a day I already wake up with less pain. I just hope the short term memory isnt as bad.
TessfromMARS
2 June 2014
Butterflylynn
She did not say that the medications cause depression she stated it was a side effect of the medication
mrtoadota
11 March 2018
My experience with Lyrica and Gabapentin both created a dizzy, zombie mess of a person. I do not recommend either, and absolutely not both at the same time. My doc then started me on Cymbalta, which added fatigue and double vision to the mix. Meanwhile, my doctor was trying me on a new anti-cholestoral drug called lipitor (a statin drug). Guess what! -
STATIN DRUGS MAY INCREASE RISK OF PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
St. Paul, Minn. – Statin drugs can increase the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, according to a study published in the May 14 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Tell your doctor that you want to try a non-statin prescription for high cholesterol.
Other things that might help: 1. Drink pedialyte (Gatorade is a sports drink meant to combat dehydration better than water. It supposedly does this better than regular old water by packing in potassium and sodium, which are both electrolytes.) I use generic Walgreens or CVS pedialyte. Find one with less sugar. You cannot overdose on it - drinking it in quantity is only a good thing. 2. Co-Q-10. 3. Calcium & magnesium with Vitamin D3 tablet.
kaismama
22 Jan 2013
Are you sure the dr means for you to be taking both? I would call him. With the 2 together caution is advised, can cause CNS depression and psychomotor impairment. You are showing all the signs of it.
AParsons
23 Jan 2013
He wrote stuff down as I answered questions then gave me five prescriptions. I asked him then if I still needed the Neurontin if I was on the lyrica and he said he was increasing my Neurontin dosage. Plus Tramadol, Mobic, and Ambien which I take already. I want to seethe other Dr there but he won't let me bc he doesn't want me on pills for the rest of my life. The other dr treats symptoms not just diseases or problems. And my dr doesn't like that. Ok so 5 meds at once is better??? I don't get it but I know I don't like this. I have no depression, I have anxiety issues and I'm currently not on anything for that.
Stiff Steph
28 Oct 2013
Now I know why I was never prescribed Lyrica now, I was already taking Mobic and something else that is taken for nerve pain, something my father takes for his pain. I can't think of the name.
glitton
18 Nov 2013
Aparsons (I think that is correct), just want to say something to the person seeing a dr that has her on gabapentin, lyrica, tramadol, ambien and 1 other. Run!!! Find yourself a new Dr now, I have been dealing with elderly Father seeing a Dr that put him on very similar list of drugs and my father doesn't have any sense left. I'm no Dr but run from this one.
Kathym1945
10 Jan 2014
My Dr had me on 5 of the 600mg neurotoxin added 150mg of Lyrics twice a day. I noticed when I tried to talk, I couldn't't get the words out and I started to get tremors in my hand. Is this an effect of taking both together?
gr8scot
2 Sep 2016
i have been on 1200 mg 3 x a day of gabapentin and today i started 75 mg of lyrica 2 x a day, as i lie here in bed i must say i am impressed, so far no memory loss or dizzy spells, my pain from severe neuropathy in my feet seems to have disappeared, however, i have drop foot pain still and its hurting pretty bad
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lyrica, neurontin, vertigo, fibromyalgia, side effect, vision
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