Lyrica/Pregabalin Anyone on this med?

Hi all

I am hoping for some help from anyone who has taken Lyrica/Pregabalin during and after the surgery. I will ask my clinic about this but wanted to see if anyone has faced this before. Also if anyone can see any other options.

This medication comes in a capsule about the size of a dime, tiny bit smaller. I had my pharmacist check out what my options were.

1) This does not come in any other form. So no help there.

2) Officially maker says do not open capsule, but said there was a study done where they opened the capsule and dissolved the contents in 4 oz of water (must be water nothing else) and drank all immediately and findings were that it was just as effective. Problem is after surgery I cannot take 4 oz. and total must be drank immediately. It would not be ideal but I could empty capsule, divide contents in 2 and desolve one in 2 oz water drink that, then do the same half to one hour later.

3) Capsule just shy of the size of a dime. Do I risk it? What are the consequences if it is too big?

4) Stop this medication. Side effects as the usual stuff diarrhea, nausea, vomiting etc. But also a chance of seizure even in people who have never had seizures before.

5) Taper off the drug by only taking 1/2 for the last week before surgery. 

TIA

C.

Heya, 

I'm afraid I can't give you too much advice, however I was taking Lyrica for a few months post op and didn't seem to suffer any troubles with it. I started it about 8 months after surgery and although I can't remember the exact size of the pill (this is over 4 years ago), I don't recall any issues with being able to swallow it. And I had massive scar tissue at my stomach opening, but it still seemed to be okay. I'm not in any way suggesting that you'll have the same experience as me, I just don't remember any issues. As for opening the capsule, I've no idea how that would work out, just the same as you, I couldn't drink that much at once. And for stopping the medication entirely, I suppose that is your own unique situation that you and your doctor would assess. Lyrica was no longer effective for me so I did stop using it and I don't recall any negative side effects, however that may vary depending on how long you've taken it for. 

I wish you the best of luck with everything! It's awful having to take these meds, but if it does help you out, hopefully your doctor, surgeon or pharmacist can come up with a helpful plan for you :)