Navigation

Lyrica vs. Ultram

Are Lyrica and Ultram the Same Thing?

Lyrica (pregabalin) and Ultram (tramadol) are used to treat pain.

Lyrica is specifically used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia. Lyrica is also used to treat partial onset seizures in adults and fibromyalgia.

Lyrica and Ultram belong to different drug classes. Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant) and Ultram is a pain reliever (analgesic).

Side effects of Lyrica and Ultram that are similar include dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, and constipation.

Side effects of Lyrica that are different from Ultram include loss of balance, dry mouth, fluid retention (edema), breast swelling, tremors, blurred vision, weight gain, and problems with memory or concentration.

Side effects of Ultram that are different from Lyrica include agitation, nervousness, anxiety, seizures (convulsions), skin rash, spinning sensation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, and fainting.

Both Lyrica and Ultram may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, sedatives, or medicines for anxiety or seizures).

Lyrica may also interact with oral diabetes medicines and ACE inhibitors.

Ultram may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), other antidepressants, antibiotics, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, medicines to treat HIV or hepatitis C, medicines for Parkinson's disease, migraine headache medications, medicines to treat serious infections, and medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop using Lyrica or Ultram.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lyrica?

Common side effects of Lyrica include:

  • drowsiness,
  • dry mouth,
  • dizziness,
  • blurred vision,
  • constipation,
  • weight gain,
  • trouble urinating,
  • headache,
  • increased hunger, and
  • changes in taste.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ultram?

Common side effects of Ultram include:

  • agitation,
  • nervousness,
  • anxiety,
  • seizures (convulsions),
  • skin rash,
  • dizziness,
  • spinning sensation,
  • hallucinations,
  • fever,
  • fast heart rate,
  • overactive reflexes,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • loss of coordination,
  • headache,
  • drowsiness, and
  • fainting.

What Is Lyrica?

Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant) used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and for treating partial onset seizures in adults, and fibromyalgia.

What Is Ultram?

Ultram is a strong prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid (narcotic) that is used for the management pain in adults, when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines do not treat your pain well enough or you cannot tolerate them. Ultram is an opioid pain medicine that can put you at risk for overdose and death. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed you are at risk for opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death.

 

What Drugs Interact With Lyrica?

Lyrica may interact with alcohol, other medicines that can make you sleepy (sold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for anxiety), or rosiglitazone.

What Drugs Interact With Ultram?

Ultram is contraindicated in patients receiving MAO inhibitors or who have used them within the previous 14 days.

 

How Should Lyrica Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Lyrica is 75-600 mg daily. Alcohol and drugs that cause sedation may increase the sedative effects of Lyrica. There are no adequate studies of Lyrica in pregnant women. If you become pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Lyrica on the baby. It is unknown if Lyrica passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Lyrica is not recommended.

How Should Ultram Be Taken?

Do not change your dose. Take Ultram exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest time needed.

Take your prescribed dose as indicated by your health care provider. The maximum dosage is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for pain relief. Do not take more than your prescribed dose and do not take more than 8 tablets per day. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

Call your healthcare provider if the dose you are taking does not control your pain.

If you have been taking Ultram regularly, do not stop taking Ultram without talking to your healthcare provider.

After you stop taking Ultram, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of any unused tablets.