The following poem was written by Writers in the Grove member, Paula Adams, in response to reading the fine print on a bottle of the prescription medication Lyrica. It became our prompt for the week, explained below.

Prescription LYRICA is not for everyone

Tell your doctor right away about
any serious allergic reaction that causes

• swelling of the face,
• mouth, lips,
• gums, tongue,
• throat,
• neck
• hands,
• legs
• and feet,
• rash, hives or blisters.
• or any trouble breathing

LYRICA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions
in a very small number of people.

Patients, family members or caregivers should
call the doctor right away if they notice

• suicidal thoughts or actions,
• thoughts of self-harm, or
• any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
• new or worsening depression,
• anxiety,
• restlessness,
• trouble sleeping,
• trouble waking,
• panic attacks,
• anger, irritability,
• agitation,
• aggression,
• dangerous impulses or
• violence, or
• extreme increases in activity
• or talking.

If you have suicidal thoughts or actions,
do not stop LYRICA without first talking to your doctor.

Do not drive or work with machines
until you know how LYRICA affects you.

Some of the commonest side effects of LYRICA are

• dizziness,
• sleepiness
• blurry vision,
• weight gain,
• trouble concentrating,
• dry mouth,
• and feeling “high.”

Also, tell your doctor right away about

• muscle pain
• feeling sick,
• feverish, or any
• changes in your eyesight,
• blurry vision,
• or any skin sores if you have diabetes.

You may have a higher chance of

• swelling,
• hives
• or gaining weight

if you are also taking certain diabetes
or high blood pressure medicines.

You may have more dizziness and sleepiness if you

• drink alcohol,
• take narcotic pain medicines,
• medicines for anxiety

while taking LYRICA

If you have had a drug or alcohol problem,
you may be more likely to misuse LYRICA

Also, tell your doctor if you are
planning to father a child.

Talk with your doctor before you stop
taking LYRICA or any other prescription medication.

IT’S SPECIFIC TREATMENT FOR DIABETIC NERVE PAIN

Ask your doctor if
LYRICA
is right for YOU!

Please see Important Risk Information
for LYRICA on the following page.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects
of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit FDA.gov/medwatch
or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
Ask your doctor about LYRICA and visit LYRICA.com
or call 1-888-LYRICA (1-888-959-7422).
PREGABALIN® PBP753612-01
©2015 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved.

June 2015

The Prompt

Based upon this poem, which put us in stitches when she read it aloud, the prompt was:

Write about the side effects of something. It may be a drug or something else that has side effects.