Pregabalin risks.

| Read Time: 5 mins | Format: Guide

Pregabalin in North Yorkshire

Use of pregabalin (also known as ‘Lyrica’) is on the rise as well as the number of people being harmed by this drug. Of all drug-related deaths in North Yorkshire between 2021 – 2024, pregabalin was the fourth most common substance highlighted in postmortems and the second most common drug contributing to death. Pregabalin-related deaths have also risen dramatically nationally. To understand why a medication prescribed by doctors can be so harmful when used illicitly, read on.

Why is pregabalin popular?

Pregabalin is prescribed to treat epilepsy, nerve pain, and anxiety, but it is also available on the black market as a drug that can help you feel calm and relaxed. People buying pregabalin in this way may see it as a low-risk drug because it is prescribed by doctors and even on the black market it usually comes in legitimate looking packaging – just as you would see in a pharmacy. This probably makes it seem safer than buying a bag of powder or loose pills. Meanwhile, getting hold of pregabalin is not hard. A BBC reporter was able to buy pregabalin online for under £1 a pill.

Pregabalin is not believed to be a high risk drug when taken as prescribed

Is pregabalin dangerous?

Before anything else, it is worth emphasising that genuine pregabalin is not believed to be dangerous when prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed. A person may experience side-effects of confusion or headaches, and there is a risk of developing a dependency in which case it is important they seek help. But aside from these risks, serious harm is unlikely. However, when pregabalin is bought illegally online, from a dealer, or provided by friends, there are other risks to consider. You can’t be sure you have the genuine product even when it looks legitimate. But the main risk is through mixing pregabalin with other drugs.

What happens when you mix pregabalin with other drugs?

As a depressant, pregabalin slows the central nervous system. When combined with other depressants such as methadone, heroin, or alcohol, the effect can be dramatically increased, and a person may fall unconscious and even stop breathing. Sadly, this is becoming increasingly common. Back in 2018, pregabalin was identified on the death certificates of 187 people but in 2022 this number had more than doubled to 441 deaths. Most of these deaths have occurred when people mixed pregabalin with other drugs. In fact, in over 90% of cases, other opioids such as methadone were present.

However, when mixed with other medications like methadone, pregabalin can cause an overdose

How to stay safe

If you choose to use pregabalin, then avoid mixing it with other drugs – especially methadone, heroin and other depressants. Otherwise, follow all the usual safety advice. Use a small dose first, space out your doses, avoid using alone, and if you are using with friends and they fall unconscious, seek help at once. Lastly, carry naloxone. This is available for free from North Yorkshire Horizons, and it will reverse the effect of any opiate a person has taken alongside pregabalin.