How Long does Lyrica Stay in your System?

April 14, 2022
Uncategorized

What Is Lyrica?

Lyrica (pregabalin) is a prescription medication commonly used to treat chronic nerve pain and seizures. However, Lyrica can also be used to manage fibromyalgia and treat diabetic neuropathy. Doctors prescribe Lyrica to reduce and alleviate physical symptoms, nerve pain, and other chronic pain conditions. While Lyrica is commonly prescribed my medical professionals, classifying it as a drug that is typically safe to consume under medical surveillance, it is important to know potential risk factors, side effects, and elements that influence the drug’s half-life. ¹

Lyrica Regulations and Classifications

The drug is intended for patients eighteen years or over; however, it can be used to treat patients with epilepsy as young as one month old. While Lyrica is not a narcotic, it is a controlled substance. Its official classification is a Schedule V drug due to its low potential for abuse. Moreover, Lyrica belongs to the drug class of anticonvulsants. ²

How Long Does Lyrica Stay in Your System?

Lyrica can be detected in the body through various tests that differ in detection length after last use.

Lyrica Half-Life

Lyrica generally takes about six hours to reach its half-life, the peak level of plasma concentration in the body. So, most of the medication is gone from the body after about thirty-two to thirty-five hours. ³

How Long Does Lyrica Stay in Your Urine?

Lyrica can show up in a urine screen for up to six days.

How Long Does Lyrica Stay in Your Saliva?

Lyrica will typically show up in saliva for up to two days.

How Long Does Lyrica Stay in Your Hair?

Once Lyrica is consumed, it can show up in a hair follicle test for up to three months.

How Long Does Lyrica Stay in Your Blood?

Lyrica stays in the bloodstream for about thirty-five hours, after which point it begins to disappear.

Factors That Affect How Long Lyrica Stays in Your System

Lyrica abuse is highly uncommon, but it does happen. Various factors affect how long the drug stays in the system, such as:

Duration of Use

If someone uses Lyrica for an extended time, the drug is more likely to show up in tests longer than someone who used it only once or twice.

Frequency

Likewise, taking Lyrica often increases its likelihood to show up in drug screens more than someone who rarely uses it.

Dosage Being Taken

Higher doses can be more easily detected in tests compared to low doses.

Metabolism

Factors like age, genetics, health, and weight cause metabolism to speed up and slow down at different rates. Thus, healthy young people have a faster metabolism and process Lyrica more quickly.

Age

Age can also affect how long Lyrica stays in the system. For example, an older individual may have a harder time ridding their body of Lyrica compared to someone much younger.

Overall Health

In general, health plays a big role in the body’s ability to process and get rid of Lyrica.

Other Factors

In addition to the factors outlined above, it’s also important to consider the type of drug test being issued to the patient. Varying testing methods mean varying results. So, when combining different tests with health, age, metabolism, and dosage factors, patients may get very different results.

Lyrica Overdose and Withdrawal

As with other medications and drugs, Lyrica presents symptoms related to overdose and withdrawal.

Lyrica Overdose Symptoms

A Lyrica overdose can occur when too much of the medication is taken. Another potential factor for Lyrica overdose is when the medication is taken with illicit drugs, such as heroin. Taking too many pills at one time can lead to side effects like confusion, seizures, and even death.

With any medication that can lead to an overdose, it’s important to consult with a doctor first, especially in large quantities or if you have a medical condition like heart disease or high blood pressure that makes overdose more likely.

Lyrica Withdrawal

Lyrica withdrawal symptoms are numerous and can include any number of the following:

Suicidal thoughts
Rapid heart rate
Mood changes
Drug cravings
Depression
Headaches
Confusion
Insomnia
Sweating
Agitation
Diarrhea
Seizures
Anxiety
Nausea

If you or someone you know experiences any of the above Lyrica withdrawal side effects, contact a treatment facility right away. Professional medical care can be provided for any discomfort and withdrawal side effects. It’s also important to be carefully monitored by a medical provider in the event of adverse reactions.

Treatment for Lyrica and Other Prescription Drugs Addiction

The first step to getting treatment for Lyrica addiction is going to a doctor. This ensures safety and protection, leaving out room for guessing and experiencing side effects outside of a medical care center.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process of ridding the body of a substance. Detoxing at a medical facility is the safest way to eliminate the drug because patients are closely monitored and sometimes given medication to reduce potentially severe withdrawal symptoms.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment ensures that patients receive ongoing, supervised care for Lyrica addiction. This treatment involves the patient living at the treatment center for a few weeks to over six months, depending on the severity of the substance use disorder.

Therapy

A therapist will assist the patient in determining the best course of action to treat Lyrica addiction. Various therapies offer different strategies, so the type of therapy utilized is commonly decided based on the individual receiving treatment.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a popular form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people understand their negative thought patterns and replace them with more productive ones. It’s also a type of psychotherapy that can be very effective in treating a variety of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. ⁴

As such, CBT has the potential to help treat patients with Lyrica addiction and the side effects it presents. Nonetheless, CBT isn’t the only treatment option available. Depending on the patient’s level of dependency, other treatment methods might be necessary to manage the recovery process properly.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy designed to help people with emotional and behavioral issues. DBT is based on the idea that emotions can be challenging, but people can learn to manage them. ⁵

Treatment at Stillwater Behavioral Health

We offer a variety of different treatment methods to create a treatment plan personalized for you and your needs. Our priority is your well-being and maintaining a healthy and safe journey to recovery. Contact Stillwater Behavioral Health today and get the help you deserve.

866-525-3070