HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can Lyrica Cause Memory Loss?

Posted on Thu, 23 Mar 2017

Question: I was started on Lyrica last year in May, since then I have a problem with remembering things. I could be leaving my room to go get something that I forgot and get down stairs and forget what the heck I was going downstairs for, and have to go back up stairs to see if I look around and try to remember what I went down for. Also there has XXXXXXX numberous time when I go to my car to leave and remember that I forgot something in the house and don't remember what I went back to get. This happens often. This medication is helping me with my nerve pain in my foot and I have chronic back pain which it also helps. But I'm concerned about always forgetting thiings. My wife can ask me something to do for her and I forge to do it or I have to go back and ask her what did she ask me to do. This is very disturbing. It dosent happen all the time but it happens 5-6 times per day. Also when I get up in the morning my eyes are blurry for at lease 2 hours before they clear?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Lyrica should not cause memory loss.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.

Lyrica is not known to cause such symptoms in routine clinical scenarios. I would suggest you to physically visit a neurologist and get a detailed 'higher mental examination done' to see if you actually have memory loss or these symptoms are just due to poor attention. These symptoms can sometimes be physiological.

Hope you got my point.If you have further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (57 minutes later)

I find that very had to believe. I have never had this problem until I started taking Lyrica. Memory Loss is listed on one of your sites as a less severe side effect. Also listed is blurry vision. I have never had a problem with poor attention until I started taking that pill, when would poor attention have started. Maybe due to one of my other pills that I take. But I want to be sure it is not the Lyrica before I give you other medication that I am on.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Memory loss is not at all, a common side effect.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Of course, memory loss is listed as a side effect. But, it is listed as rare. In clinical practice, its may be extremely rare. I have not seen a single case with it so far.

Further, it is not documented so far, that you actually have a memory loss. You have no hard signs of memory loss.That's why I advised for a higher mental examination.

Loss of attention can occur due to this medicine,which may be the cause of your symptoms.If you are so sure about it,you should discuss with your treating doctor to taper and stop Lyrica. I see no problem in it as alternative drugs are available, which might suit better in your case.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar