How to taper from 50 mg of pregabalin in the morning and evening?

@loyal, I'm tagging a few members who have tapered off of pregabalin (Lycria) and who may be able to offer their experience and tips - members like @pmacg88 @stargazer7 @tenacioustracey @williambogle @incanada

You may also find the posts in these related discussions helpful:
- My lyrica journey https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-lyrica-journey/
- Tapering off Lyrica gave me panic, nausea, extreme anxiety: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lyrica/

Loyal, did you taper from a higher dose down to 50 mg twice a day or is that your starting point?

I wish that was my problem when I develop neuropathy a year and a half ago I started on 900 mg. I am now up to 2000. I’m never gonna have to worry about tapering off. This is a lifelong situation for me and probably when the gabapentin doesn’t work, I’m gonna have to move the opiates, I’m not very happy about that but I really need to go on living my life as best I can and that’s what I have to do. That’s what I have to do. I will say with the gabapentin. I am able to function pretty much normally just some pain versus if I was not on gabapentin, I’d be dithering full at this point Would suck anyway I guess I’m not addressing your issue. I’m just venting. Have a good day.

I have the same question now in August of 2025. My provider started me on Lyrica for pain for tingling and numbness and because he suspects an autoimmune disorder however, I still have the tingling numbness and pain, but I also have a side of dizziness and lots more irritable and some brain fog so I’d like to taper off because I don’t know that it’s giving me life back.

I'm having brain fog caused by taking 50mg of Lyrica in the morning. I feel like a zombie until about 4 in the afternoon as it seems to wear off about that time. I take 75mg at bedtime and still feel drowsy in the mornings and then have to take the 50mg in the morning. I hate this drug and all of its side effects mainly constipation,nausea,being shaky, and feeling like a zombie. It is not taking care of all of my nerve pain and the side effects are worse than the drug. I would like to wean off this drug but I am 83 years old and I don't know if I can handle going through withdrawal. I also take blood pressure meds three times a day and I'm afraid withdrawal would affect my Blood Pressure. Is there anyone out there my age who has weaned off it? If so would you reply and let me know how you did while going through it.

@note8book I don't know how long you have been on it. I took gabapentin for neuropathy. 300mg twice a day. At first it helped the neuropathy but the brain confusion was concerning. After a short time it felt like it did more harm than good to muscles and bones. Didn't help pain much either. I think the longest I took it everyday was 4 months. I quit cold turkey and had very little side effects and what I did have cleared up in a week or so. I am 68. You could just taper. Lower dose until you feel you can quit altogether. I completely understand the fear.

Please use LDN-low dose naltrexone for pain - not for numbness. It’s been featured here often.
It works - https://ldnresearchtrust.org/what-is-low-dose-naltrexone-ldn

@humblyhoping I have been on Lyrica 47 days and I wouldn't even think of getting off it cold turkey. I also have high blood pressure and take BP meds three times a day and my blood pressure still spikes up sometimes in the low 200's when my skin gets to burning very bad. I am afraid if I try to wean off my skin will start burning and spike up my BP and I will have a stroke. I have clonidine to take if it is real high and it is hours before time for my next dose of BP med. I am also having other side effects such as nausea, nervousness, being clumsy,and some short term memory problems. I just don't like the way it makes me feel. I just don't feel like me.

@note8book 47 days is not that long. I don't know how much dosage you have been taking. Your blood pressure is more concerning issue for you. Lyrica should not affect BP. Do you know why you were prescribed this medication? Are you able to sit in a Ebson Salt bath. That lowers blood pressure quickly. Keep bathroom ventilated while soaking. Its always been pretty powerful for me. At this time I do not have BP problems but my spouse does. He takes his blood pressure constantly for spiking close to 200.
I have anxiety medication I have been taking for 25 years. I would love to wean off that but the fear of withdrawal must be very slow and I have started that process in the past two weeks successfully. Gabapentin helped me the first week reduce .5mg. Now I do not need gaba at all. Weaning more would require another med in order to keep comfortable. That will be a discussion with doctor.

@note8book I just reread your original post and I see your dosage for Lyrica. I was taking 300mg to 600mg a day for awhile. No problem weaning and I was thankful.

I am on a low dosage bp med. I am 74 in good physical health- excluding IPN
I started on a low dose pre gabapentin 3 years ago. AM and PM. I quickly dropped the AM Just too foggy and lethargic. Held on to the PM for sleep. It did help. No problem with withdrawal. More clarity and energy. Needed all of that to live all I can!
Meanwhile, IPN progresses. Moved solidly into calves. All the normal stuff that goes with that😳🙄
This September., after reading a lot about gabapentin, I decided to give it a go without the PM dose. Ha. Just a bit more restlessness. Some nights more than others. But doable. Adding Magnesium thoriate seems to have helped
Here I learned. Without trying I would still be taking it
If I need it— its’s there in my medical cabinet waiting.
No shame cast on any that choose to take pain meds. If I needed it. I would take it. Maybe I will later. I have pain. It’s tolerable
It is a balancing act. Saving brain . Finding ways to enhance nerve health
By the way. Neurologist gave me a high five yesterday for giving it a try.
She agrees. If you can function without it Save your brain.
At 74 I feel like I am fighting a non- slayable dragon. But the fight is on!