Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of lyrica as follows:
- Rapid firing of nerve impulses is considered responsible for seizure activity and nerve pain.
- Lyrica is a medication that affects certain neurotransmitters in the body, which are responsible for development of seizures/convulsions and nerve pain.
- Affecting these chemicals, lyrica helps with reducing the excitation of the nerves.
- By reducing the excitation of nerves and firing of nerve impulses, lyrica can help with reducing/prevention of seizure activity. Lyrica can be used as an anticonvulsant in prevention of grand-mal and partial seizures.
- By affecting certain excitatory neurotransmitters in the body, lyrica also helps with controlling the anxiety and so, is used for control of symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
- Lyrica can be used as an antineuropathy agent, to control the nerve pain in individuals with history of spinal injury and diabetic neuropathy. Also, herpes virus infection and activation of latent chicken pox infection (zoster) can result in debilitating neuropathy. By reducing firing of nerve impulses, lyrica use can result in control of neuropathy associated with herpes and zoster infections.
- Rapid firing of nerve impulses can also result in restless legs syndrome, with individuals complaining of uncomfortable pins and needles sensation in both the lower extremities. The discomfort can be high at rest and relieved with movement of the legs. By reducing firing of nerve impulses, lyrica use can result in relief of these symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
