LYRICA®
| Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary |
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
WARNING: Important safety information is provided in a boxed warning in the full CMI. Read before using this medicine.
| 1. Why am I using LYRICA? |
LYRICA contains the active ingredient pregabalin. LYRICA is used to treat neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by an abnormality of, or damage to, the nerves. LYRICA is also used to control epilepsy which is a condition where you have repeated seizures (fits). For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using LYRICA? in the full CMI.
| 2. What should I know before I use LYRICA? |
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to LYRICA or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI. Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use LYRICA? in the full CMI.
| 3. What if I am taking other medicines? |
Some medicines may interfere with LYRICA and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
| 4. How do I take LYRICA? |
The usual dose range is 150 mg per day to 600 mg per day given in two divided doses. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use LYRICA? in the full CMI.
| 5. What should I know while using LYRICA? |
| Things you should do |
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| Things you should not do |
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| Driving or using machines |
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| Drinking alcohol |
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| Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using LYRICA? in the full CMI.
| 6. Are there any side effects? |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following less serious side effect and they worry you: dizziness, feeling tired or drowsy, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, headache, increase in weight, unsteadiness when walking, reduced co-ordination, shaking or tremors, dry mouth or blurred or double vision. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following more serious side effects: unusual changes in mood or behaviour, signs of new or increased irritability or agitation, signs of depression, confusion, swelling of the hands, ankles or feet, enlargement of breasts, unexplained muscle pain, tenderness and weakness, passing little to no urine, trouble breathing, shallow breaths. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
| WARNING: Before taking LYRICA, tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse. LYRICA poses risks of misuse, abuse and dependence. Using LYRICA with other medicines that can make you feel drowsy such as sleeping tablets and other pain relievers (e.g. benzodiazepines and opioids), antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabis, and alcohol may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death. If you have any concern about taking this medicine, speak to your doctor. |
LYRICA® (LEER-i-kah)
Active ingredient(s): Pregabalin (PRE-gab-a-lin)
| Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) |
This leaflet provides important information about using LYRICA. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using LYRICA.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using LYRICA?
2. What should I know before I use LYRICA?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I take LYRICA?
5. What should I know while using LYRICA?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
| 1. Why am I using LYRICA? |
LYRICA contains the active ingredient pregabalin. LYRICA belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. These medicines are thought to work by controlling brain chemicals which send signals to nerves so that seizures do not happen. LYRICA also has pain relieving effects.
LYRICA is used to treat neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by an abnormality of, or damage to, the nerves.
LYRICA is also used to control epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where you have repeated seizures (fits). There are many different types of seizures, ranging from mild to severe.
LYRICA may be used alone, or in combination with other medicines, to treat your condition.
Your doctor may prescribe LYRICA in addition to your current therapy when your current treatment is no longer working as well as before.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Use in Children
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children under the age of 18 years.
| 2. What should I know before I use LYRICA? |
Warnings
Do not use LYRICA if:
- you are allergic to pregabalin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine. - the expiry date printed on the pack has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If the capsules have expired or the pack is damaged, return to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Check with your doctor if you:
- have allergies to any other medicines especially barbiturates or any other anticonvulsant medicines, or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
- have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- congestive heart failure
- hereditary problems with galactose metabolism
- kidney problems
- diabetes
- depression - have a history of drug abuse
LYRICA poses risks of misuse, abuse and dependence. Your body may become used to you taking LYRICA and this may result in physical dependence. It means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking LYRICA suddenly. So it is important to strictly follow the directions given by your doctor.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking LYRICA.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
LYRICA is not recommended for use during pregnancy. However, if you have epilepsy, it is very important to control your fits while you are pregnant. If it is necessary for you to take LYRICA, your doctor can help you decide whether or not to take it during pregnancy.
Pregabalin use during the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause birth defects in the unborn child that require medical treatment. In a study reviewing data from women in Nordic countries who took pregabalin in the first 3 months of pregnancy, 6 babies in every 100 had such birth defects. This compares to 4 babies in every 100 born to women not treated with pregabalin in the study. Abnormalities of the face (orofacial clefts), the eyes, the nervous system (including the brain), kidneys and genitals have been reported.
Effective contraception must be used by women of childbearing potential.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
The active ingredient in LYRICA passes into breast milk and its safety in infants is unknown. It is recommended that you do not breast-feed while taking LYRICA.
| 3. What if I am taking other medicines? |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by LYRICA or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Using LYRICA with other medicines that can make you feel drowsy such as sleeping tablets and other pain relievers (e.g. benzodiazepines and opioids), antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabis, and alcohol may result in severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma and death.
Your doctor will minimise the dose and duration of use; and monitor you for signs and symptoms of breathing difficulties and sedation.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking LYRICA.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect LYRICA.
| 4. How do I take LYRICA? |
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
- Your doctor will tell you how many capsules you need to take each day. This may depend on your age, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
- Your doctor may recommend that you start with a low dose of LYRICA and slowly increase the dose to the lowest amount needed to control your epilepsy/convulsions or neuropathic pain.
- The usual dose range is 150 mg per day to 600 mg per day given in two divided doses.
How to take it
Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.
When to take it
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
How long to take it
- Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
- This medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
- Do not stop taking LYRICA, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor. Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays.
- Stopping LYRICA suddenly may worsen your condition or increase your chance of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeplessness, headache, nausea (feeling sick), anxiety, excessive sweating or diarrhoea (runny stools). If appropriate, your doctor will slowly reduce your dose before you can stop taking it completely.
If you forget to use LYRICA
If it is almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you use too much LYRICA
If you think that you or anyone else may have used too much LYRICA, urgent medical attention may be needed.
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or - contact your doctor, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Symptoms of an overdose with LYRICA may include mood changes, feeling tired, confusion, depression, agitation, restlessness or seizures.
| 5. What should I know while using LYRICA? |
Things you must do
- If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking LYRICA.
- Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
- If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery. - Tell your doctor if you feel LYRICA is not helping your condition.
Your doctor may need to change your medicine. - Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken LYRICA exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may change your treatment unnecessarily. - Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
- experience any changes in your vision.
LYRICA may cause blurring or other changes in eyesight. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking LYRICA to improve these symptoms. - have any thoughts of suicide or self-harm, any unusual changes in mood or behaviour, or show signs of depression.
Some people taking medicines to treat convulsions, such as LYRICA, have had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their life.
Patients and caregivers should be alert and monitor for these effects. Signs and symptoms of suicidal risk include:
- thoughts or talk of death or suicide
- thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
- any recent attempts of self-harm
- new or an increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation
- new or worsening depression.
Mention of suicide or violence must be taken seriously.
If you or someone you know is demonstrating these warning signs of suicide while taking LYRICA, contact your doctor or a mental health professional right away. - experience trouble breathing or shallow breaths.
If you have nervous system or respiratory disorders, kidney problems, or you are older than 65, your doctor may adjust your dose. - become pregnant while taking LYRICA
Things you must not do
- Do not take LYRICA to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
- Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours or they have the same condition as you.
- Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how LYRICA affects you.
As with other anticonvulsant medicines, LYRICA may cause dizziness and drowsiness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Drinking alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you drink alcohol, symptoms such as dizziness and drowsiness may be worse.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the capsules out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
- in the bathroom or near a sink, or
- in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
| 6. Are there any side effects? |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking LYRICA.
LYRICA helps most people with neuropathic pain or epilepsy, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
It can be difficult to tell whether side effects are the result of taking LYRICA, effects of your condition or side effects of other medicines you may be taking. For this reason it is important to tell your doctor of any change in your condition.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the list of side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
If you get any side effects, do not stop taking LYRICA without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
Nervous system related:
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived. | Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
Psychiatric related:
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare. | Call your doctor straight away if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
More serious side effects
| More serious side effects | What to do |
Respiratory related:
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. | Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. Some of these side effects (for example, changes in blood pressure) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
| 7. Product details |
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What LYRICA contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
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| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
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| Potential allergens | LYRICA 25 mg contains sugars as lactose. LYRICA 75 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg contain lactose. |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What LYRICA looks like
25 mg - White hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 25" with black ink. (AUST R 99469)
75mg - White and orange hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 75" with black ink. (AUST R 99520)
150mg - White hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 150" with black ink. (AUST R 99528)
300mg - White and orange hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 300" with black ink. (AUST R 99537)
Each pack contains 56 capsules.
Who distributes LYRICA
Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
www.viatris.com.au
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in Oct 2023.
LYRICA® is a Viatris company trade mark
LYRICA_cmi\Oct23/00
Published by MIMS December 2023