Lyrica® and alcohol - are they compatible?
introduction
The active ingredient of the drug Lyrica® is called pregabalin. It belongs to the large group of so-called anticonvulsants or antiepileptics. One area of application for Lyrica® can be derived from the name, namely its use in the context of epilepsy. Lyrica® is also approved for a few other areas of application. These include the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and the treatment of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is pain that occurs as part of damage to the nerves and thus leads to a change in pain perception.
Lyrica® is one of the prescription drugs. It has a similar effect to the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain and in the transmission of nerve signals. It binds to voltage-dependent calcium channels and reducedby lowering the release of calcium particles that way the Transmission of nerve signals. The neurotransmitter substance GABA thus has a dampening effect on the transmission of signals. This is particularly important in the context of epilepsy treatment. In the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders, the "side effects" of Lyrica® are more likely to be used. To this "Side Effects" count among others one sedative and calming effect.
Interactions
With all drugs used in medicine, as with the intake of Lyrica®, side effects and interactions can occur. There are, however no important interactions between Lyrica® and other anti-epileptic drugs known as lamotrigine, valproic acid or carbamazepine. Also with the simultaneous intake of morphine substances how Oxycodone (a very strong pain reliever) it comes to no significant interactions. The same applies to ethanol. However, it is important for the patient to know that there is taking Lyrica® and ethanol at the same time or one Benzodiazepine like lorazepam to one Increased effectiveness can come. Lyrica® increases the potency of both lorazepam and that of ethanol, the drinking alcohol. At female patient in the childbearing age it should also be noted that Lyrica®It is best not to take it during pregnancy shall be. this applies likewise during breastfeedingbecause Lyrica® is excreted in the breast milk and is absorbed by the infant with the breast milk.
Metabolism / drink alcohol
Medication can occur in the body excreted two different types become. A path of elimination ensues about the liver. The drug arrives via the blood to the liver, is metabolized there and then excreted in the bile. The other route of elimination takes place about the kidney and finally through the urine. Some drugs are eliminated from the body both ways.
The drug Lyrica® becomes almost exclusively excreted through the kidneys. The active ingredient will not previously dismantled or rebuilt. Lyrica® is excreted as it was absorbed by the body, i.e. completely unchanged. Since Lyrica® only takes one route of elimination, it is important that it works properly. As Guide value for the efficiency of the kidneys serves the so-called GFR (glomerular filtration rate), which is a measure of how quickly the kidneys can excrete a certain substance from the blood by producing urine. The kidney is not functioning properly, then she has to Adjusted dosage of Lyrica® become. This is necessary because otherwise the active level of Lyrica® in the blood can rise sharply. A very natural loss of kidney function occurs in old age on. If the liver function is impaired, at least with Lyrica® there is no need to adjust the drug dosage.
How does Lyrica® and the consumption of alcohol?
In relation to that Drinking alcohol can you say that the simultaneous use of Lyrica® and alcohol to that effect not tolerate, as Lyrica® the Significantly increase the effects of alcohol can. So it can be the following day for example to one significant increase in alcohol-related headaches or the nausea to lead. However, alcohol does not increase or weaken the effect of Lyrica®. Alcohol also has does not affect metabolism or Elimination of Lyrica®.
Of the regular and excessive consumption of alcohol leading to a Damage to the liver leads and ultimately in a Cirrhosis of the liver ends, so one connective tissue remodeling of the liver, ultimately has no effect on Lyrica®, as it is only broken down through the kidneys. Nevertheless, one should with the Do not drink alcohol while taking Lyrica®. Especially in terms of that Side effects of Lyrica® (such as: Confusion, irritability, aggression, and mood swings) should drink no alcohol, since alcohol is also a increased irritability and one increased aggressive behavior and this can then potentially increase.
Flashbacks
Flashbacks are also called Reverberation memories or as Reliving situations denotes and play an important role in mental illness. they provide temporary, involuntary memories in certain situations and become common triggered by certain "triggers" or stimuli like certain Melodies, smells or places. You can quite evoke different feelings in the affected person and at the same time are often accompanied by vegetative physical reactions such as sweating, racing heart or nausea.
