Neurontin and Lyrica are a Death Sentence for New Brain Synapses: Shocking Study

A shocking study shows that these two drugs block the formation of new brain synapses, drastically reducing the potential for rejuvenating brain plasticity – meaning that these drugs will cause brain decline that apparently robs one of the ability to rebuild. The study demonstrating this type of brain damage with these two drugs came out in 2009 but apparently, the media has been very lax in getting any of this information to the public – most likely because they do not want to jeopardize their advertising income from this company.

But the patients are not the only ones not getting this information because the doctors are apparently clueless as well. I say that because first our Facebook group for these two drugs “Neurontin (Gabapentin) & Lyrica (Pregabalin) Should Be Illegal” is growing so quickly. Then this past Spring my brother working on some things in the backyard pulled a muscle in his back. I was shocked to learn that he had gone to the doctor for that and the doctor gave him a prescription for Neurontin!

I shared with him the information in this study indicating the brain damage from the drug at which point he understandably decided not to take the drug.
Although I have included the full article on this below this is the link to the article which you need to follow to find the full research study if you want to take it to your doctor to educate him: https://www.wellnessresources.com/news/neurontin-and-lyrica-are-a-death-sentence-for-new-brain-synapses#ref1

Now my question is why on earth has the FDA not pulled these drugs from the market in light of this study? I ask that because before this study the worst I had seen in producing brain damage were the diet pills Fen-Phen and Redux which were pulled from the market due to the brain damage they produced … even though the media convinced the world those drugs were pulled because of the heart and lung damage. It was the brain damage the FDA was concerned about and had required studies from the maker to prove its safety. Something they had not yet done before Dr. Una Mc Cann at NIH put out a study showing the most horrific brain damage. Those drugs were pulled only days later.

Neurontin and Lyrica are a Death Sentence for New Brain Synapses

Neurontin and its newer more potent version, Lyrica, are widely used for off-label indications that are an outright flagrant danger to the public. These blockbuster drugs were approved for use even though the FDA had no idea what they actually did in the brain. A shocking new study shows that they block the formation of new brain synapses1, drastically reducing the potential for rejuvenating brain plasticity – meaning that these drugs will cause brain decline faster than any substance known to mankind.

The problem of these drugs is compounded by their flagrant illegal marketing. Neurontin was approved by the FDA for epilepsy back in 1994. The drug underwent massive illegal off-label promotion that cost Warner-Lambert 430 million dollars (the very first big fine for off-label promotion). The drug is now owned by Pfizer. Pfizer also owns Lyrica, a super-potent version of Neurontin. It has been approved by the FDA for various types of pain and fibromyalgia. Lyrica is one of four drugs which a subsidiary of Pfizer illegally marketed, resulting in a $2.3 billion settlement against Pfizer.

Even though the marketing of these drugs has been heavily fined, they continue to rack up billions in sales from the off-label uses. Doctors use them for all manner of nerve issues because they are good at suppressing symptoms. However, such uses can no longer be justified because the actual mechanism of the drugs is finally understood and they are creating a significant long-term reduction in nerve health.

The researchers in the above study try to downplay the serious nature of the drugs by saying “adult neurons don’t form many new synapses.” That is simply not true. The new science is showing that brain health during aging relies on the formation of new synapses. Even these researchers managed to question the common use of these medications in pregnant women. How is a fetus supposed to make new nerve cells when the mother is taking a drug that blocks them?

These are the kind of situations the FDA should be all over. As usual, the FDA is sitting around pondering a suicide warning for Lyrica while its off-label uses include bi-polar disorder and migraine headaches. The FDA is likely to twiddle its thumbs for the next decade on the brain damage issue. Consumer beware.

Referenced Studies
^ Neurontin and Lyrica are Highly Toxic to New Brain Synapses Cell Çagla Eroglu, Nicola J. Allen, Michael W. Susman, Nancy A. O’Rourke, Chan Young Park, Engin Özkan, Chandrani Chakraborty, Sara B. Mulinyawe, Douglas S. Annis, Andrew D. Huberman, Eric M. Green, Jack Lawler, Ricardo Dolmetsch, K. Christopher Garcia, Stephen


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20 Responses

  1. LORRAINE STERLING says:

    my doctor has been pushing Lyrica-and I plan on telling him this info tomorrow-I just may be without a doctor. He doesn’t like to be crossed!

    • Toni Snyder says:

      Then you may need to find a new doc. Neurontin nearly killed me, I reported what was going on to my Dr’s office staff & never got a call back. Days later I called in again to say I was stopping neurontin, cold turkey cuz they/my doc hadn’t given me any direction or help, again, never received a call back. I’ve also been on Lyrica, twice. I hate everything about FMS, but these to drugs should be pulled from the market.

      • Bellacat says:

        I’ve been on gabapentin for 11 years for Fibromyalgia. My maximum does was 2000 mgs. a day. I have cut my does down to 800 without medical supervision, just titrating Dow. I want off this filth but it takes forever, especially if you’ve been on it as long as I have.

    • Carol says:

      I took it for 6 weeks. I wish I’d never touched it.

    • E. T. Harper says:

      I wonder if that’s why I’m feeling ‘lost.’ It’s like something is off mentally and I am having a hard time remembering things or focusing. I always feel out of sorts.

  2. Marie Weir says:

    Had been on lyrica and when I heard the facts I decided to stop 450g daily. Stopped cold turkey and reacted badly. When I told my gp, she told me that she was delighted that I had decided to stop but shouldn’t have gone that Way about it, so I had to go on it again but started off at 150g daily reducing on a slower basis. I have to say that I don’t miss them as they were doing absolutely no good, so don’t know why I took them for so long. Kept getting repeat scripts and no more t.g.

  3. Ginger Hite says:

    I was given a week’s sample of Lyrica, then prescribed Gabapentin to gradually start at one then increase to 3 at bedtime. This was prescribed by a neurologist for extreme pain in my lower legs. I quit the pills on my own 2 weeks ago. I had been having intermittent nerve pains in my legs, mostly the left leg. I was referred to a neurologist after injections in my back for pain (by Pain Management Dr.) didn’t work and the nerve pain began. I am just reading this report…so glad I stopped taking those!

  4. Mike LaMarr says:

    I’m not doubting the dangers of these drugs, but what are some viable alternatives, I suffered multiple strokes a few years ago anh have been dealing with severe nerve pain on my left side ever since .I’ve been taking a combo of Lyrica and Cymbalta ever since. It’s definitely not a magic cure but I guess it helps a little bit.What other options are there? My dr. seems to think those are the only 2, same with my neurologist

    • Beth says:

      There are all kinds of natural alternatives. I use to be on both of those and a lot more. For me plexus was my saving grace. Find natural alternatives your body and mind will thank you ?

    • Angela says:

      I have been on Lyrica for 3 yes now I don’t know what else to do? They tried Cymbalta and that almost killed me.. what else is there to do take to help

  5. will says:

    If you ever have nerve damage you will know why people take lyrica. I try to keep the dose small (less than 200 mg) a day. Lot of drugs are no good for you but if there are not options better than screaming in pain

    • terence cuzdey says:

      i agree with u 100% I have very bad nerve pain in my back, the only drug that helped is lyrica 100mg twice a day or i can forget about walking,so i dont have much of a choice.

  6. Gavin says:

    I was on 600mg twice a day for 2 years for back pain and nerve related pain, it did help, it’s only when the issues are highlighted, you realise you’ve got the issues. Memory, dental, emotional, temperamental, libido, zest for life all of these things take a serious hit. The worst thing is once you find out is damaging your brain you immediately think I’m getting off this now, but you can’t just stop it cold turkey, it can do serious harm, so it takes an eternity to taper off it, 10% of the dose each time, withdraw, level out about a month later, then do it again, most of the medical profession rely on literature provided by the manufacturer, so, most of the medical profession are clueless as to the damage it does and how to come off it correctly

  7. Chris says:

    What can i do now for my extreme nerve pain in my feet and legs. This pain in my feet is unbearable. I didn’t like lyrica because of the weight gain. However now im going to stop taking it immediately after reading this. I just really am not ready for that pain to come back. But the pain is better than brain issues!

  8. Ian says:

    I have taken nuerontin for 10yrs. Im not worried about brain damage. The nueropothy pain and burning in my feet is what Im worried about. I also smoke good weed each day. I guess ill just kill all my brain cells. IDC..

  9. Debbie says:

    I have been telling my GPS that my memory was affected by these but kept dismissing it, I done cold turkey and came of them

  10. Leah says:

    What else is there to take in place of these that’s going to help us? We’ve got to have something for the neuropathy and burning sensation in our bodies.

  11. Neet says:

    Did anyone actually read the report I wonder??? “Barres noted that he and his colleagues found that gabapentin does not dissolve pre-existing synapses, but only prevents formation of new ones. That greatly diminishes gabapentin’s potential danger to adults”

    The fear is for pregnant who may be taking the drug as it would effect synapses in unborn babies… read people, read…

  12. CM says:

    I have had horrible nerve pain down one leg into my feet to include burning, electrocution, ice picks, you name it. The Symptoms worsened after an epidural injection, and became worse yet after a laminectomy surgery. My MD prescribed Lyrica and I was up to 450 mg daily. After 6 months I started noticing severe memory issues, foggy brain, and irritability. I kept telling my MD that I want to get off this med and they talked me into staying on this drug. At almost 1,000$ a month I assume they are getting a decent kick back from the makers. I finally decided to start tapering off myself and I am down to 350 mg ( I am cutting 50mg every 2 weeks ) daily. each reduction of 50 mg has brought on severe headaches and anxiety although my nerve issues are staying the same. At 350 a day I already notice a huge difference in memory and overall function. One thing I agree with, the Dr’s have NO CLUE how to taper off this drug. I spoke with 4 and they all had different opinions. I will repeat my story in the hope others find relief from this med.

  13. Janice says:

    Don’t they give nerontin for dementia!! I am sure they do which is crazy!

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