Lyrica, which contains the substance pregabalin, is mainly prescribed to epilepsy patients and people with severe anxiety. It then appears mainly in tablet or capsule form, but in recent years has also started to be abused in powder form, which is imported illegally.
– According to what we understand, the Lyrica powder that appeared in Sundsvall during the summer should come from China, says Fahrang Niyad.
Dangerous to life together with drugs and alcohol
Lyrica in powder form can be snorted up the nose, taken with water or injected.
That the substance pregabalin alone is the direct cause of death is unusual, and it is also not medically established in the three current cases in Sundsvall; only that the three people died after taking Lyrica powder.
However, combining preparations containing pregabalin with other drugs or with alcohol can be directly life-threatening. Mixing powdered Lyrica/pregabalin with other drugs becomes extra dangerous.
“Easy to overdose”
– It is very difficult to dose and strong. It gives a high effect but at the same time it becomes very easy to take an overdose. Especially then if you have also taken other drugs or alcohol, says Fahrang Niyad.
Pregabalin as a substance has appeared in several preliminary investigations into suspected drug dealing on a large scale in Västernorrland recently. In the huge seizure of around half a million narcotic-classified tablets that was made earlier this year, where three people were brought to trial this summer, a large proportion of the seized narcotic was precisely pregabalin.
What is Lyrica/pregabalin?
Lyrica is a medicine that contains the active substance pregabalin, which counteracts cramps and pain in the muscles and nervous system. It is used, among other things, to treat epilepsy but also deep and long-term anxiety.
Common side effects include sleepiness, memory problems, vision problems and confusion. Other serious side effects that may occur are swelling of the skin (especially on the face) and a certain increased risk of suicide. The risk of the preparation being abused has traditionally been low, but in recent years abuse and pregabalin-related deaths have increased.
Pregabalin was classified as a drug in Sweden in 2018. Since then, 130-140 deaths per year in the country have been attributable to pregabalin, where the substance has in any case been a strongly contributing cause of death.
In recent years, the number of cases where pregabalin poisoning is listed as the sole and direct cause of death has been between 2 and 6 per year throughout the country. But it can be fatal in combination with other substances and with alcohol.
Lyrica or other preparations containing pregabalin are not prescribed to people with addiction problems because it is addictive.
Sources: Fass, the National Board of Health and Welfare, the Medical Products Agency and the Forensic Medicines Agency