Lyrica – drug or medicine?

Pharmacy drug or pharmaceutical drug? This is the kind of controversy that is constantly going on about some drugs that are widely used in the treatment of certain diseases, but at the same time successfully used by drug addicts to get high. To begin with, we need to understand what Lyrica is.

Lyrica tablets – what they are, effects, active ingredien

The drug was originally prescribed as a drug for the treatment of epilepsy. It has an anticonvulsant effect, gives the same effect as antidepressants. It was widely used in narcology to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Alas, Lyrica pills for getting high will quickly lead a person to an impressive list of side effects. Since 2012, the drug has only been sold by prescription precisely because of the increased number of addicts “on Lyrica.”

What does the medicine Lyrica look like?

The drug is an elongated gelatin capsules of red and white color.

The price of these pills is relatively low, so the drug “lira” has become even more popular among pharmacy addicts.

Action of Lyrica, Instructions

The drug contains pregabalin – this active ingredient affects the opioid receptors of the human brain. As a result, pain sensations are reduced and an anticonvulsant effect is produced. The drug has proven itself in the treatment of generalized anxiety symptoms. Analogues of the drug contain substances similar in action, for example, Algerica, Habana. The instructions for Lyrica specify doses for the treatment of certain diseases – from 150 to 600 mg per day. In addition, withdrawal from the drug should take place gradually – the dose is lowered daily. After withdrawal from the drug, reactions such as nausea, depression, excessive sweating, chills and lack of appetite are possible.

Ways to use Lyrica

The harm from Lyrica is exacerbated by the way it is taken. Addicts practice several ways of using it:

• together with alcohol, which many times accelerates the destruction of the liver and kidneys;
• standard ingestion without dosage control and dietary compliance causes gastrointestinal dysfunction;
• Some addicts believe that if the drug is inhaled, they get high more. This effect may be present, but it also affects the respiratory tract and increases the risk of cramps;
• parenteral (intravenous) ingestion is dangerous for sepsis, HIV and hepatitis transmission, and the risk of blood clots increases many times.

Even short-term use of the drug (including under a doctor’s supervision) can be addictive.

The drug effect

The effect of the drug “Lyra” is similar to that of heroin – a person feels euphoria, relaxation and bliss. Some people get a rush of strength and an extraordinary love for everyone around them.

Pregabalin

This substance is a synthetic substitute synthetic analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid. The absorption is fast enough, which is what drug addicts take advantage of. Moreover, pregabalin is not detected by standard tests, it can be detected only by chemical toxicological analysis of human biomaterial.

Symptoms of drug use – how to tell if a person is on Lyrica

How do you recognize someone who is using this drug to get high? More often than not, empty packages of Lyrica can be spotted in the trash or pockets. In this case, the drug addict believes that he will not be exposed, because it is a drug. This is a hundred percent lie – the drug is not sold without a doctor’s prescription, and for this there must be serious indications for admission. Other indications include:

• The addict becomes distracted, periodically “disconnected” from the world around him;
• The person may be staggering and unable to control the body even when walking normally;
• Frequent mood swings from laughter to deep depression, and this alternates;
• Strong perspiration with a pungent, unpleasant odor;
• Slurred speech.

The eyes are the main sign

The most important sign of drug intoxication is the eyes. When using Lyrica, you can see dilated, unresponsive pupils, the eyes are unfocused and constantly running.

Sometimes the opposite effect is also observed – the eyes glaze over and hardly move even when communicating. Anyone who has ever seen an addict will know what this looks like. There is a possibility of severe redness of the whites of the eyes.

Side effects of Lyrica

Like any other drug, Lyrica has an impressive list of side effects: limb tremors, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, increased sweating, hallucinations, dry mucous membranes, bloating, lack of sexual desire and erections. Because of frequent diarrhea, all nutrients may be washed out of the body, particularly calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis.

Memory loss, so common to many addicts, are also relevant when taking Lyrica. A person may not remember what happened an hour or a day ago.

How it affects the potency

As mentioned above, the drug almost completely eliminates libido. At the same time, the problems with potency may not be solved even after cancelling the use of Lyrica. Cases of infertility are known.

How addiction is formed

The addiction to the drug develops invisibly for the person who takes it – the first doses only bring a buzzing sensation. The body then begins to adapt to the active ingredient and requires more and more doses to return to its original sensations. Often increasing the amount of Lyrica can cause sudden mood swings and unreasonable aggression even at the people closest to you. There have been known cases of suicide under the influence of the drug.

Is it possible to die from Lyrica

This drug at an adequate dosage prescribed by the doctor for the treatment of certain diseases is not able to cause death. But drug addicts most often combine Lyrica with other drugs or alcohol, as well as do not control the number of pills. In this case there is an overdose and the corresponding phenomena – vomiting, diarrhea, disorder of consciousness and coma.

If the addicted person has problems with heart or kidneys (and practically 80 percent of drug users have them) the lethal outcome at overdose is also possible. It is worth noting that such cases occur when taking Lyrica for a long enough time. The lethal dose of the drug for each individual, it all depends on the duration of intake and the condition of the body as a whole.

Compatibility with alcohol

Addicts very often combine alcohol and taking Lyrica. This is done to enhance the effect. Such a tandem is twice as dangerous:

• Alcohol reduces the breakdown and output of pregabalin, as a result, it can cause severe intoxication of the body;
• The combination of the drug and alcohol can cause powerful disorders of consciousness and hallucinations.

Everything also depends on the concentration and strength of alcoholic beverages, as well as the dosage of the drug. In large quantities, such a combination can cause a psychiatric disorder.