Lyrica Capsules

Lyrica Capsules (simple pain reliever and fever medicines)

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Lyrica Capsules (simple pain reliever and fever medicines) is a brand of medicine containing the active ingredient pregabalin (simple pain reliever and fever medicines).

Find out more about active ingredients.

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Developed by the pharmaceutical company responsible for this medicine in Australia, according to TGA regulations.

LYRICA®
(LEER-i-kah)

Pregabalin (PRE-gab-a-lin)

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Consumer Medicine Information

WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET

This leaflet answers some common questions about Lyrica.

It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Lyrica against the benefits it is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

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WHAT LYRICA IS USED FOR

Lyrica is used to treat neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by an abnormality of, or damage to, the nerves.

Lyrica is also used to control epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where you have repeated seizures (fits). There are many different types of seizures, ranging from mild to severe.

Lyrica belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants. These medicines are thought to work by controlling brain chemicals which send signals to nerves so that seizures do not happen.

Lyrica also has pain relieving effects.

Lyrica may be used alone, or in combination with other medicines, to treat your condition.

Your doctor may prescribe Lyrica in addition to your current therapy when your current treatment is no longer working as well as before.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Lyrica has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Use in children

There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children under the age of 18 years.

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BEFORE YOU TAKE LYRICA

When you must not take it

Do not take Lyrica if you have an allergy to:

• pregabalin, the active ingredient in Lyrica, or
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If the capsules have expired or the pack is damaged, return to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:

• any other medicines, especially barbiturates or any other anticonvulsant medicines
• any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• congestive heart failure
• hereditary problems with galactose metabolism
• kidney problems
• diabetes
• a history of substance abuse
• depression.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of substance abuse. There have been reported cases of misuse and abuse with Lyrica.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lyrica is not recommended for use during pregnancy. However, if you have epilepsy, it is very important to control your fits while you are pregnant. If it is necessary for you to take Lyrica, your doctor can help you decide whether or not to take it during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. The active ingredient in Lyrica passes into breast milk and its safety in infants is unknown. It is recommended that you do not breast-feed while taking Lyrica.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Lyrica.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including:

• all prescription medicines
• all medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements or natural therapies you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket, naturopath or health food shop.

Some medicines may be affected by Lyrica or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

• oxycodone, morphine or codeine, pain relievers called opioid analgesics
• lorazepam, a medicine used to treat anxiety
• medicines used to treat allergies (antihistamines)
• medicines used to treat certain psychiatric disorders.

Taking these medicines together with Lyrica may increase your chance of experiencing side effects. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Lyrica.

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HOW TO TAKE LYRICA

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many capsules you need to take each day. This may depend on your age, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

Your doctor may recommend that you start with a low dose of Lyrica and slowly increase the dose to the lowest amount needed to control your epilepsy/convulsions or neuropathic pain.

The usual dose range is 150 mg per day to 600 mg per day given in two divided doses.

How to take it

Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water.

When to take it

Take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.

How long to take it

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. This medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine, even if you feel well.

Do not stop taking Lyrica, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor. Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays. Stopping Lyrica suddenly may worsen your condition or cause unwanted effects such as sleeplessness, headache, nausea (feeling sick), anxiety, excessive sweating or diarrhoea (runny stools). If appropriate, your doctor will slowly reduce your dose before you can stop taking it completely.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose (within 4 hours), skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Australian Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or the New Zealand National Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Lyrica. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose with Lyrica may include mood changes, feeling tired, confusion, depression, agitation and restlessness.

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WHILE YOU ARE TAKING LYRICA

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Lyrica.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any changes in your vision.Lyrica may cause blurring or other changes in eyesight. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking Lyrica to improve these symptoms.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any thoughts of suicide or self-harm, any unusual changes in mood or behaviour, or show signs of depression. Some people taking medicines to treat convulsions, such as Lyrica, have had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their life.

Patients and caregivers should be alert and monitor for these effects.

Signs and symptoms of suicidal risk include:

• thoughts or talk of death or suicide
• thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
• any recent attempts of self-harm
• new or an increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation
• new or worsening depression.

Mention of suicide or violence must be taken seriously.

If you or someone you know is demonstrating these warning signs of suicide while taking Lyrica, contact your doctor or a mental health professional right away.

Tell your doctor if you feel Lyrica is not helping your condition. Your doctor may need to change your medicine.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken Lyrica exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may change your treatment unnecessarily.

If you become pregnant while taking Lyrica, tell your doctor immediately.

Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Things you must not do

Do not take Lyrica to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours or they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Lyrica affects you. As with other anticonvulsant medicines, Lyrica may cause dizziness and drowsiness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. If you drink alcohol, symptoms such as dizziness and drowsiness may be worse.

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SIDE EFFECTS

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Lyrica. Lyrica helps most people with neuropathic pain or epilepsy, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

It can be difficult to tell whether side effects are the result of taking Lyrica, effects of your condition or side effects of other medicines you may be taking. For this reason it is important to tell your doctor of any change in your condition.

If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

Do not be alarmed by the list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

If you get any side effects, do not stop taking Lyrica without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if...

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• dizziness
• feeling tired or drowsy
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• nausea
• headache
• increase in weight
• unsteadiness when walking, reduced co-ordination, shaking or tremors
• dry mouth
• blurred or double vision.

The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if...

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

• unusual changes in mood or behaviour
• signs of new or increased irritability or agitation
• signs of depression
• swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
• enlargement of breasts
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness and weakness
• passing little to no urine.

The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Go to hospital if...

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you notice any of the following:

• shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and legs, weight increase due to fluid build-up
• irritated red eyes that are sensitive to light
• more frequent or more severe seizures (fits)
• sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. Some of these side effects (for example, changes in blood pressure) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.

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AFTER TAKING LYRICA

Storage

Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the capsules out of the pack they may not keep well.

Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store Lyrica or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car on hot days. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

What it looks like

• 25 mg - White hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 25" with black ink.
• 75 mg - White and orange hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 75" with black ink.
• 150 mg - White hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 150" with black ink.
• 300 mg - White and orange hard gelatin capsule, marked "Pfizer PGN 300" with black ink.

Each pack contains 56 capsules.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients

• 25 mg capsules - 25 mg pregabalin
• 75 mg capsules - 75 mg pregabalin
• 150 mg capsules - 150 mg pregabalin
• 300 mg capsules - 300 mg pregabalin

It also contains:

• Lactose
• Maize starch
• Purified talc
• Gelatin
• Titanium dioxide
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Colloidal anhydrous silica
• Red iron oxide CI77491 (75 mg and 300 mg capsules only).

Supplier

Lyrica is supplied in Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 50 008 422 348
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114
Australia
Toll Free number: 1800 675 229

Lyrica is supplied in New Zealand by:
Pfizer New Zealand Ltd
PO Box 3998
Auckland, New Zealand
Toll Free number: 0800 736 363

Australian Registration Numbers

• 25 mg capsules: AUST R 99469
• 75 mg capsules: AUST R 99520
• 150 mg capsules: AUST R 99528
• 300 mg capsules: AUST R 99537

Date of preparation

This leaflet was prepared in July 2014.

® Registered trademark
© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd 2014