The US FDA has recently issued a warning that Lyrica, Neurontin and other anticonvulsants could cause increase a patient’s risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Lyrica is the only drug to have FDA approval for the treatment of Fibromyalgia and both Lyrica and Neurontin are used in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
An FDA study of 11 anticonvulsants/antiepileptics found that people taking the medications had double the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to those taking a placebo. The risk corresponds to an estimated 2.1 per 1,000 more patients in the drug treatment groups who experienced suicidality than in the placebo groups.
The FDA warns that patients who are currently taking antiepileptic medicines should not make any changes without first talking to their health care provider. It can be dangerous to come off these medications suddenly without medical supervision. Health care providers should notify patients, their families, and caregivers of the potential for an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors so that patients may be closely observed for notable changes in behavior.
The medications studied were:
Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR)
Felbamate (marketed as Felbatol)
Gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin)
Lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal)
Levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra)
Oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal)
Pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica)
Tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril)
Topiramate (marketed as Topamax)
Valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon)
Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran)
Some of these drugs are also available in generic form. Although only these drugs were analysed, the FDA says that it “expects that all medications in the antiepileptic class share the increased risk of suicidality.”
February 9, 2008 at 5:19 pm
That’s scary! I just went off of Lyricda and Neurontin in the past month. No wonder I feel like I’m losing my mind.
February 9, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Actually that could be a number of things, including withdrawal and the resurgence of symptoms. Although it is good that the FDA has recognised the risks and has warned about them, it doesn’t mean people shouldn’t take the meds.
February 9, 2008 at 7:30 pm
True, withdrawal has been he$$.
I personally like Neurontin (not so much on the Lyrica cuz it didn’t work for me) but I don’t need it anymore.
Learning to pace and reduce stress has worked wonders for my FM, personally. It’s CFS that’s the worst for me.
June 24, 2008 at 1:40 am
Dayum. Does explain some things though.
July 3, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Lyrica is awful. The FDA needs to rethink Pregabalin. Yeah, it eased the physical pain for awhile, but this withdrawal from it is worse than any physical pain I ever experienced, even when I had my heart attack.
Gradual weaning off is just a waste of time, although it’s recommended. Now that I am 75mg every 2 – 3 days, I am irritable, anxious, teary, and everything is getting on my nerves. (Very unlike me.) I have chronic pain and have been through prescription addiction and withdrawals before, but not like this. I am used to a lot of things with my health since 1999, but what I don’t understand is if Lyrica is not addictive, how could I be having such a hard time discontinuing it? It has been several months since I have started decreasing in order to discontinue it. When I don’t take one I get WEIRD! (Like now.)
I sought relief of withdrawal from physician and was only offered anti-anxiety medicine! Yet they can’t decide what has elevated my liver enzymes and triglycerides. DUH!
Be very careful on Lyrica and when discontinuing it. Reports are now that suicide is linked to this medication. Sadly, I can understand that, as I am wondering if that is the only way I will ever feel normal again.
So I am questioning myself about everything…I am having a hard time thinking clearly; I question whether the cardiologist was indeed sexually groping me yesterday…I hear myself speaking to the nurse and listen as my voice abruptly stops in mid-thought.
I tell you the truth, if I did not know my God was in control of my life, I would hang it up now.
July 6, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I am feeling a bit better, but still get agitated. Last Lyrica I had was Monday, 6 days ago. I refused to go out with friends July 4th and was honest and told them I did not want to take a chance and lash out at them. I really don’t blame them if they don’t understand. I can’t expect anyone to, really.
That, and the physical pain is still pretty bad. I do wonder if some of the physical pain could be related to the withdrawal. Yesterday I was sitting here working, and a huge pain hit my chest, and I wondered again if I could end up dead here at the house. I don’t think about that anymore, only when that pain hits…but I wonder what has my bloodwork screwy and no one is doing anything. – Bea Nice
September 12, 2008 at 4:45 pm
WOW thats exactly what has happened to me.I went off lyrica,which itook for Fibromyalgia’ the household was ready to killme as much as iwas ready tokill self,same thing as you God stopped me. However the pain and all the withdrawls this went on for a month,were way to much to bear so here i am taking Lyrica again, two weeks into it i’ve gained 10 pounda pain reduced somewhat personality more tolerable in other words, stopped withdrawal. so i feel trapped not being able to get offf this stuff.