Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Lyrica as follows: Lyrica carries the risk of inducing/aggravating abnormal body movements or dyskinesias, such as, unusual eye movements, blurred vision, muscle weakness, unsteadiness, motor incoordination, and compromised balance, thus increasing the fall risk. Hypotension, confusion, and dizziness with Lyrica use, can add to the fall risk, thus enhancing it further. Slow change of position, seeking caregiver assistance during ambulation, and observing compliance with DME [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Lyrica as follows: Lyrica can take some time to fairly adjust to your body and build appropriate therapeutic levels in the blood, before any relief with nerve pain, discomfort, and seizure control is experienced. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication. Lyrica carries the risk of aggravating some [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Lyrica as follows: Taking the medication at regularly spaced intervals helps to maintain appropriate blood levels of lyrica needed to derive the beneficial effects. Lyrica can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy. Lyrica also carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure, leading to episodes of hypotension that can contribute to the dizziness caused by the medication. Starting the medication at a low dose [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Lyrica as follows: Sudden discontinuation of lyrica intake, after prolonged use, can result in onset of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as, deterioration of symptoms of mood disorders, exacerbation of nerve pain, and relapse of the seizure activity. Discontinuing the medication should be gradual and only on your physician’s recommendation. Lyrica, on prolonged use, carries the risk of muscle damage, muscle breakdown, and consequent muscle pain. [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Lyrica as follows: Lyrica hardly undergoes any metabolism in the body and is excreted almost unchanged in urine for the most part. Individuals with compromised renal function cannot excrete the medication normally, which allows the medication to stay in blood circulation for longer time, resulting in toxicity and consequent side-effects. So, lyrica must be used with extreme caution in individuals with compromised renal function, starting at a low [...]