The Lethal Combination of Pregabalin With Other Recreational Drugs.
Cureus April 1, 2025 Alison Muñoz, Marai Roque, Marco Valladares et al.
A 33-year-old man with a four-day history of worsening confusion, restlessness, and visual hallucinations was hospitalized. He had been misusing pregabalin (Lyrica) for pain relief and also using recreational ketamine. The patient developed toxic-metabolic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction) and acute kidney injury, requiring treatment for confusion, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances. The severe presentation warns against self-medicating with neuromodulators like pregabalin, especially when combined with other neuroactive substances. The case underscores the need to quickly identify both clinical symptoms and psychiatric risk factors to effectively diagnose and treat dangerous pregabalin intoxication.