Took Double Dose of Pregabalin (Lyrica)? What to Do

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a Schedule V controlled substance. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice specific to your medications. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Accidentally took double dose of pregabalin (Lyrica): what to do

If you accidentally took two pregabalin pills, don't panic. A single accidental double dose is unlikely to cause serious harm. The largest accidental overdose recorded in clinical trials was 8,000 mg with no notable clinical consequences. But pregabalin does affect your central nervous system, so you'll want to monitor for increased drowsiness and dizziness. Skip your next scheduled dose, avoid driving, and call your doctor if symptoms feel severe.

Here are the details.

Why a double dose of pregabalin matters more than some medications

Pregabalin has a couple of characteristics that make a double dose worth paying attention to, even though it's unlikely to be dangerous.

First, pregabalin has over 90% bioavailability regardless of dose. Unlike its cousin gabapentin, which absorbs less as you take more, pregabalin absorbs almost everything you swallow. That means if you took double your dose, your body is absorbing close to double the amount.

Second, pregabalin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Even at normal doses, dizziness affects about 31% of people and drowsiness affects about 22%. A double dose can amplify these effects.

That said, the safety margin is wide. Pregabalin is prescribed at total daily doses ranging from 150 mg to 600 mg depending on the condition. Here's how common double-dose scenarios compare (showing the extra amount from one doubled dose):

For most prescribed doses, a single double dose still keeps you within or near the maximum approved daily range. The 8,000 mg overdose case with no serious consequences shows just how wide the safety margin is.

What to do right now

1. Stay calm. A single double dose of pregabalin is very unlikely to cause serious harm.
2. Don't drive or use machinery. Pregabalin causes dizziness and drowsiness at normal doses, and an extra dose will make this worse. This is the most important safety step.
3. Skip your next scheduled dose. Resume your regular schedule at the dose after that. If you take pregabalin twice daily, this means skipping one dose. If you take it three times daily, skip the next one and pick up your schedule from there.
4. Stay hydrated. Drink water throughout the day. Pregabalin is eliminated almost entirely through the kidneys, and good hydration supports that process.
5. Avoid alcohol completely. Both pregabalin and alcohol are CNS depressants. Combining them creates additive effects on drowsiness, dizziness, and coordination.
6. Be careful with stairs and movement. The extra drowsiness and dizziness can affect your balance and coordination. Move slowly, especially when standing up.
7. Write down the time and amount you took. This helps if you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist later.

Symptoms to watch for

Mild symptoms (usually pass on their own)

These are common pregabalin side effects that may be stronger after a double dose:

• Increased drowsiness or sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating ("brain fog")
• Dry mouth
• Mild nausea
• Slight unsteadiness or clumsiness

Pregabalin has a half-life of about 6 hours. Most of the extra dose should clear your system within 12 to 18 hours. These mild symptoms typically peak within the first few hours and then gradually fade.

Serious symptoms (call your doctor)

Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience:

• Extreme drowsiness where you can't stay awake for normal activities
• Severe dizziness or inability to walk safely
• Significant confusion or disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Unusual swelling of hands, feet, or ankles (pregabalin can cause peripheral edema)
• Vision changes beyond mild blurriness

Emergency symptoms (call 911)

Call 911 if you experience:

• Loss of consciousness or inability to be woken up
• Difficulty breathing or very slow breathing
• Seizures
• Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat)

These emergency scenarios are very unlikely from a single double dose alone. A dose-toxicity study found that the vast majority of pregabalin-only poisoning cases (69-100%) resulted in no or minor symptoms. Severe outcomes like coma or seizures were rare and typically involved much larger amounts or other substances.

Critical warning: pregabalin with other CNS depressants

Read this carefully. If you take any of the following medications alongside pregabalin, a double dose requires extra caution:

• Opioid pain medications (oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol)
• Benzodiazepines (lorazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam)
• Sleep medications (zolpidem, eszopiclone)
• Muscle relaxants
• Other anticonvulsants that cause sedation
• Alcohol

The Cleveland Clinic warns that taking pregabalin with other CNS depressants "can make you too sleepy" and "can make it hard to breathe and stay awake. In some cases, it can cause coma and death."

The FDA label confirms "additive effects on cognitive and gross motor functioning" when pregabalin is combined with opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol.

If you took a double dose of pregabalin and you also take any of these medications, call your doctor or Poison Control right away. Don't wait for symptoms to develop.

When to call your doctor or Poison Control

For most people, a single accidental double dose of pregabalin doesn't need professional intervention. But contact your doctor or Poison Control if:

• You take opioids, benzodiazepines, or other sedating medications (see list above)
• You took more than one extra dose (three or more pills at once)
• You have kidney problems. Pregabalin is eliminated almost entirely through the kidneys. Reduced kidney function means the drug stays in your system longer and reaches higher levels.
• You're elderly. Older adults are more sensitive to CNS depressant effects and are at higher risk for falls from dizziness and unsteadiness.
• You notice any serious or emergency symptoms listed above
• You're on a high dose already (300 mg per dose or more)

Contact numbers:

• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7)
• Your pharmacist: Quick, accessible guidance based on your specific medication profile
• 911: For emergencies

How to prevent accidental double dosing

Pregabalin is commonly prescribed two or three times a day, which makes dosing confusion more likely than with once-daily medications. When you're taking pills at breakfast, afternoon, and bedtime, it's easy to forget whether you already took a dose.

Track every dose with a medication reminder app

Regular phone alarms tell you when it's time to take a pill, but they don't track whether you actually did. For a medication taken multiple times a day, that tracking matters. Did you already take your afternoon pregabalin, or are you thinking of this morning's dose?

Pillo records every dose you confirm, uses persistent alarms that won't stop until you respond, and keeps a history of exactly what you took and when. For a multi-dose medication like pregabalin, that running log is the difference between confidently knowing your status and guessing.

Use a pill organizer with multiple compartments

A 7-day organizer with morning, afternoon, and evening slots gives you instant visual confirmation. If the compartment is empty, you already took it. This is especially helpful if you're managing multiple medications alongside pregabalin.

Keep your dosing schedule consistent

Taking pregabalin at the same times every day reduces confusion. If you're on a three-times-daily schedule, our guide on spacing doses every 8 hours covers how to set that up. Consistent timing also helps pregabalin work better by maintaining steady blood levels.

Build each dose into a routine

Pair each dose with something you already do at that time: morning dose with breakfast, afternoon dose with lunch, evening dose with dinner. For more on creating these habits, check out our medication routine guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is a double dose of pregabalin dangerous?

For most people, a single accidental double dose is not dangerous. The largest known accidental overdose in clinical trials was 8,000 mg with no notable clinical consequences, and typical prescribed doses range from 75 to 300 mg. The main risks are increased drowsiness and dizziness. The risk goes up significantly if you also take opioids, benzodiazepines, or drink alcohol.

How long will the effects of a double dose last?

Pregabalin has a half-life of about 6 hours. Most of the extra drug should clear your system within 12 to 18 hours. If you took your double dose in the morning, you should feel back to normal by late evening. If you have kidney problems, it may take longer since pregabalin is eliminated almost entirely through the kidneys.

Should I skip my next dose after taking a double?

Yes. Skip your next scheduled dose, then go back to your regular schedule. Don't try to "make up" for the double dose by skipping multiple doses. Stopping pregabalin suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms including trouble sleeping, nausea, headache, diarrhea, and even seizures. If you take pregabalin for seizures, abruptly stopping could increase seizure risk.

What's the difference between pregabalin and gabapentin for a double dose?

They're related drugs, but they handle absorption very differently. Gabapentin has nonlinear absorption, meaning your body absorbs a smaller percentage at higher doses. Pregabalin does not have this safety buffer. Pregabalin has over 90% bioavailability regardless of dose, so a double dose delivers close to double the drug into your bloodstream. That said, pregabalin still has a wide safety margin, and a single double dose of either medication is very unlikely to cause serious harm. For gabapentin-specific info, see our guide on accidentally doubling gabapentin.

Can I drive after accidentally doubling my pregabalin?

No. Do not drive after a double dose. Even at normal doses, dizziness affects 31% of people taking pregabalin and drowsiness affects 22%. A double dose amplifies these effects. Wait at least 12 to 18 hours (two to three half-lives) and make sure you feel fully alert before getting behind the wheel.

Related guides

• Missed a dose of pregabalin? Here's what to do
• Accidentally took double dose of gabapentin (Neurontin)
• How many hours apart for 3-times-a-day medications
• Can't remember if you took your medication?
• Managing multiple medications without missing doses

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a Schedule V controlled substance with potential for misuse. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice specific to your medications. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Reviewed sources: FDA Lyrica Label, Rietjens et al. 2022 - Pregabalin Dose-Toxicity, MedlinePlus, Cleveland Clinic