Pregabalin, sold under the brand name Lyrica among others, is an anticonvulsant and anxiolytic medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, opioid withdrawal and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Pregabalin was approved for medical use in the United States in 2004. It was developed as a successor to gabapentin.
In the US, pregabalin is a Schedule V controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
Alert from the NDEWS Web Monitoring Team: Online mentions of pregabalin
Context: This alert was prompted by a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) request for information on coinciding reports of pregabalin and nitrous oxide misuse in Europe.
What was found? A discussion trend for the drug pregabalin has grown steadily since 2019. In Summer 2021, a sharp increase in total mentions of the drug led to a higher sustained discussion baseline. Total mentions have increased to a new peak level in Summer 2022.
To what does pregabalin refer? Pregabalin is a drug prescribed to treat seizures, anxiety, and neuropathic pain.
How is it being discussed? While pregabalin discussion in drug Subreddits focuses on recreational use, many commenters discuss receiving a prescription for the drug. Commenters discuss developing tolerance to and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from taking pregabalin.
Drug Terms: Pregabalin, Lyrica.