Navigation

Lyrica vs. Xanax

Are Lyrica and Xanax the Same Thing?

Lyrica (pregabalin) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat seizures.

Lyrica is also used for neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and for treating fibromyalgia.

Xanax is mainly used to treat panic attacks and anxiety disorders.

Lyrica and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug (anticonvulsant) and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Side effects of Lyrica and Xanax that are similar include dizziness, drowsiness, loss of balance or coordination, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, weight changes, and problems with memory or concentration.

Side effects of Lyrica that are different from Xanax include fluid retention (edema), breast swelling, and tremors.

Side effects of Xanax that are different from Lyrica include tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia), slurred speech, irritability, diarrhea, increased sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, appetite changes, swelling in your hands or feet, muscle weakness, stuffy nose, and loss of interest in sex.

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

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

Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, antibiotics, antifungals, antidepressants, barbiturates, heart or blood pressure medications, and HIV/AIDS medicines.

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

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 Xanax?

Common side effects of Xanax include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Sleep problems (insomnia)
  • Memory problems
  • Poor balance or coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Increased sweating
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Blurred vision
  • Appetite or weight changes
  • Swelling in your hands or feet
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dry mouth
  • Stuffy nose
  • Loss of interest in sex

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 Xanax?

Xanax (alprazolam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).

IMAGES

See Images

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 Xanax?

Xanax may interact with cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for depression or anxiety, antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, and barbiturates. Xanax may also interact with birth control pills, cimetidine, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, ergotamine, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and seizure medications.

Do not take Xanax if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in Xanax. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Xanax. you are taking antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole.

 

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 Xanax Be Taken?

Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.

Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you.

Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.

Do not take more Xanax than prescribed.