pregabalin (Lyrica)

[invisiblejungle]

I agree that the media always blows things out of proportion, but I do have concerns regarding the gabapentinoids being over-prescribed (pregabalin, gabapentin, phenibut). I have experience with all 3 of these compounds, and I can definitely say that there is potential for physical addiction. They reduce glutamate and increase GABA by blocking voltage-gated calcium channels, and anything GABAergic can cause physical ddiction.

For some people, withdrawal from the gabapentinoids can be worse than withdrawal from benzos.

I guess GABA it'self fall under the same categories? Also as you have experience alll theses, how do they compare to each other?

I know pregabalin is the strongest mg per mg. I remember dosages for GABA it'self can rage from 750mg all the way to 10g for (definetly off label) treatment for anxiety.  Certainly I remember in the past gradually dosing 10g gaba for social anxiety and it did work though that amount can not be good for the kidneys and I did not use it more than abouit once or twice but one dosage would provide anxiolytic effects for up to 48 hours. Either way having a small amount of benzos achieve better effects with less strain on the body.

Basically I was asking if any of these show physical symptoms of addiction. I realise from personal experience from being prescribed benzos for anxiety that comming off them can be difficult but found it is more mental anguish than the sweats, flu like symptoms and physical discomfort propertedly experienced when coming off even a short but strong. prescription of PKs.  

I do find it is ironic that they are classing prelagabin  Class C whilst GABA and phenibut are stil freely sold as supplements despite the Psycoactive substance bill which passed last year effectively banning anything which has a stimulant or depressive CNS effect. 

Personally I have tried all but at varying stages of my life when I was experiencing different mental afflictions. Phenibut and GABA are surprislingly effective for supplements, gabapentin was less anxiolytic for me than pregabalin which provides good anxiolytic effects without the mental cloud often assiciated with benzos. Also prelagabin gives the most amazing sleep so I find it much more preferable than Z drugs for insomnia. The trouble is in this country the policy is to prescribe anti-depressants before anything else, which while definitely useful in some cases, I prefer to stay away from as my affliction severity vary from week to week. Some days I can be calm and have a good sleep whilst other I suffer panic attacks, gneralised anxiety disorder and significant insomnia. I therefore prefer short acting medicines which can be taken when needed. 

Apologies for my spelling, I have a minor form of dyslexia which isn't helped by the ineffective spell check on this site.

You might be the first person I've talked to who had actual benefits from plain GABA, since it's not supposed to pass the brain-blood barrier. But then again, you took 10 grams. The most I ever tried was 5 grams but still felt nothing.

Pregabalin and gabapentin are sister-drugs, so they do feel very similar. Pregabalin feels about 4x stronger for me (300 mg Lyrica feels like 1200 mg Neurontin). I never took either one daily, but for a few years, I took them once in awhile (2 times per month at most). At first, they had significant anxiolytic effects and helped with sleep, but gradually their effects changed to the point where they were more like stimulants and just made me feel like crap. I haven't taken either one in awhile now.

I'm assuming you're in the UK, due to your reference to Class C. Here in the US, Lyrica is Schedule 5, whereas Neurontin is non-controlled. I've always found that strange because they're so similar. Phenibut seems to have gone below the radar, since it's a Russian-invented pharmaceutical, but I do think it should be controlled in some way. I had horrible withdrawals after taking phenibut for only a week.

But in regards to your main question about physical addiction, I would argue that yes, the gabapentoids can be physically addictive. Opiate withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, but withdrawal from GABAergics (benzos, barbiturates, alcohol) can cause death. Since the body reduces GABA production when taking these meds, stopping them too soon can result in extremely high glutamate signalling which can cause seizures and death.

If Lyrica or Neurontin help you, I certainly don't want to discourage you from taking it. But I do think that as doctors prescribe them for more and more conditions, the issues related to them will become more evident. After all, heroin wasn't supposed to be addictive. Barbiturates weren't supposed to be addictive. Benzos weren't supposed to be addictive. Etc.