Posted by yxibow on March 16, 2009, at 2:16:12
In reply to Lyrica / Pregabalin tolerance, posted by jms600 on March 15, 2009, at 16:28:06
> Does anyone know if Lyrica still retains any of it's anxiolytic / antidepressant effects after tolerance develops??
Well Lyrica was originally supposed to be marketed with no tolerance, but it was unusually slapped with C-V (there aren't many agents with that, usually things like benzodiazepines are C-IV).
C-V is really the lowest tolerance and is not 'addictive' for most people.
My experience is with Neurontin (gabapentin), as I couldn't take Lyrica (it caused vision acuity changes, but then Neurontin can too) -- it is helpful as an augmentation in a complicated array of medications, but it doesn't really directly quell anxiety for me.
Personally from my experience, it would probably become subtle -- it has been suggested as a sleep agent, and a replacement for benzodiazepines. As for antidepressant use, that I'm not clear on, the AED Lamictal is more geared towards that.
When I was 'Neurontin naive' I did have sedation and slurred speech for a short period of time, so the 'honeymoon' stage of strength for either may be short -- but that's just personal experience.
I think the potency eventually wears out on either but I dont think that they are hard agents to withdraw from (everyone is different) as much as benzodiazepines, sleep agents, etc.
Lyrica is supposedly moderately to fairly stronger than Neurontin, so you may have better luck in that department.
hope that helps
-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:885497
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090313/msgs/885588.html