Peripheral Edema
Pregabalin can cause peripheral edema. In controlled trials for peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, edema occurred in 9% of pregabalin-treated patients vs 3% with placebo; discontinuation due to edema was 0.7% vs 0.3% (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Peripheral Edema).
In studies up to 13 weeks in patients without clinically significant cardiac or peripheral vascular disease, peripheral edema was not linked to hypertension, congestive heart failure, or lab changes suggestive of renal/hepatic impairment.
Higher rates of weight gain and edema were seen when pregabalin online was combined with thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents. In the diabetic peripheral neuropathy population: edema occurred in 3% (2/60) on thiazolidinediones alone, 8% (69/859) on pregabalin alone, and 19% (23/120) on both; weight gain in 0% (0/60), 4% (35/859), and 7.5% (9/120), respectively. Because thiazolidinediones can cause weight gain/fluid retention and may precipitate heart failure, use caution when co-administering with pregabalin.
Congestive Heart Failure
In controlled studies, congestive heart failure was reported infrequently (0.1%–1%; see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Less Common Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions). Post-marketing cases have been described, most often in elderly patients with cardiovascular compromise treated for neuropathic pain, though some occurred without reported edema or prior cardiovascular disease. Use caution; stopping pregabalin may resolve the reaction.
Serious Skin Reactions
Very rare post-marketing reports include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, bullous reactions, and erythema multiforme (see Post-Marketing Adverse Drug Reactions). Under-reporting is likely. Many cases involved concomitant drugs also associated with these reactions, so causality for buy pregabalin is often unclear. Advise patients to discontinue pregabalin and contact a physician if rash develops.
Gastrointestinal
Post-marketing reports describe reduced lower-GI function—intestinal obstruction, paralytic ileus, and constipation—during initial/acute and chronic lyrica therapy, mainly with concomitant constipating drugs (e.g., opioids, including tramadol). Some events were serious and required hospitalization. Use caution when combining pregabalin with opioid analgesics; consider constipation-prevention measures, especially in females and older adults, who may be at higher risk (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post-Marketing Adverse Drug Reactions).
Weight Gain
Pregabalin can lead to weight gain. In controlled trials for peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia lasting up to 14 weeks, ≥7% gain from baseline occurred in 8% of pregabalin-treated patients versus 3% on placebo. Few patients discontinued because of weight gain (0.6%) (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Weight Gain).
Weight gain was related to dose and duration, and did not appear to depend on baseline BMI, sex, or age. It was not limited to patients with edema and was not necessarily driven by edema (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Peripheral Edema).
Short-term studies did not show clinically meaningful blood-pressure changes associated with this weight gain, but the long-term cardiovascular impact is unknown.
In patients with diabetes, pregabalin-treated patients gained a mean of 1.6 kg (range −16 to +16 kg) versus 0.3 kg (range −10 to +9 kg) with placebo. Among 333 diabetic patients treated for at least 2 years, the average gain was 5.2 kg.
In fibromyalgia trials, 10.7% of pregabalin-treated patients had ≥7% weight gain compared with 4.9% on placebo; mean gain was 1.7 kg versus 0.7 kg, respectively.
Effects on glycemic control have not been systematically evaluated; however, in controlled and longer-term open-label studies in diabetic patients, pregabalin did not appear to worsen glycemic control as measured by HbA1c.
Abrupt or Rapid Discontinuation
After abrupt or rapid discontinuation, some patients reported insomnia, nausea, headache, anxiety, hyperhidrosis, and diarrhea. Taper pregabalin gradually over at least one week rather than stopping suddenly (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Adverse Events Following Abrupt or Rapid Discontinuation).
Seizures—including status epilepticus and generalized tonic-clonic seizures—have occurred in non-epileptic patients during pregabalin therapy or after abrupt discontinuation (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post-Marketing Adverse Drug Reactions).
Encephalopathy
Serious post-marketing cases of encephalopathy have been reported, mostly in patients with underlying conditions that can precipitate encephalopathy; some had a history of renal or hepatic disease. Because rare cases of renal failure have been reported with pregabalin, use particular caution in older adults with age-related renal impairment and in patients with kidney disease or risk factors for renal failure (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Renal Failure; see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post-Marketing Adverse Drug Reactions).
Reviews:
October 21, 2025
I was prescribed 25 mg of this medication for persistent nerve pain that had lasted about eight weeks. After reading about possible side effects, I was hesitant to start, but my back and sciatic pain had become unbearable. I eventually took 50 mg at night, and by the next morning, the pain was completely gone. I repeated the same dose once more the following night, and since then, the pain has stayed away. I didn’t experience any of the side effects that others mentioned. If I ever need it again, I won’t hesitate to use it. Don’t let online stories discourage you — this treatment was truly worth trying for me.
After living with severe back pain for over six years and trying many painkillers (hydrocodone, tramadol, codeine), my doctor prescribed pregabalin (Lyrica). I avoided taking it at first because of all the negative reviews, but eventually decided to give it a chance. Within three days, taking 100–150 mg daily, my pain was gone. The first two days made me very drowsy, but that quickly passed. I no longer need strong pain medications, and even my mood has lifted — I actually feel happy again. It’s still early, but so far, pregabalin has made a huge positive difference in my life.
I’ve struggled with severe chronic pain for years, to the point where I’ve needed a wheelchair. After trying countless painkillers, my doctor started me on Lyrica, and it completely changed my life. My pain is much more manageable now, and I’ve been able to reduce my other medications. If you’re considering this treatment, give it a fair trial — follow your doctor’s directions and allow about four weeks for it to take full effect. I almost gave up after three weeks, but my wife convinced me to wait one more week, and that’s when it finally worked. It’s not an instant fix, but it’s worth the patience.
