Posted by Phoenix1 on January 4, 2008, at 15:22:38
In reply to Re: One more follow up..., posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2008, at 12:46:47
> Sorry read ahead and didn't see the old thread but in your opinion lyrica is better dependance wise than say valium and gives better sleep and then during the day for you nardil wakes you up? Any BP problems? Thanks for your kind answers if able to give them. Phillipa
Sorry Phillipa, I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, but I'll try to answer your question. In the US, Lyrica is a C-IV scheduled drug meaning there is abuse potential. The research I read said that it has lower abuse potential than benzo's but this is interesting, straight from the monograph:
"In a study of recreational users (N=15) of sedative/hypnotic drugs, including alcohol, LYRICA (450mg, single dose) received subjective ratings of "good drug effect," "high" and "liking" to a degree that was similar to diazepam (30mg, single dose)."
In terms of the weight gain, the monograph says:
"LYRICA treatment may cause weight gain. In LYRICA controlled clinical trials of up to 14 weeks, a gain of 7% or more over baseline weight was observed in 9% of LYRICA-treated patients and 2% of placebo-treated patients. Few patients treated with LYRICA (0.3%) withdrew from controlled trials due to weight gain. LYRICA associated weight gain was related to dose and duration of exposure, but did not appear to be associated with baseline BMI, gender, or age. Weight gain was not limited to patients with edema."
Anyways, in my opinion, it was harder than the benzos to quit. The withdrawal was terrible. Also from the monograph:
"In clinical studies, following abrupt or rapid discontinuation of LYRICA, some patients reported symptoms including insomnia, nausea, headache or diarrhea [see Warnings and PRECAUTIONS], suggestive of physical dependence."
This, in my personal experience is a vast understatement, and doesn't describe the terrible withdrawal I went through, even after tapering slowly. But it did help with anxiety, insomnia and depression. None of these are official reasons to use the drug, it is only approved for neuropathy. It does not FEEL like a benzo when you take it. I can't explain it, the sedation is just different. It really wrecked my cognitive abilities at higher doses, more so than clonazepam. I really can't tell you if it would work in place of Valium. It might be worth a try. I would personally avoid it in the future just based on my experience with it. I'm sure it has lot's of potential, but I really didn't like it in retrospect. Just my opinion though...
I hope this is helpful.
Phoenix1
poster:Phoenix1
thread:804083
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071225/msgs/804232.html