Is lyrica (pregabalin) a controlled substance?

No is not controlled: but by prescription only. Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anticonvulsant (seizure) medicine and is used off-label by many doctors as a chronic pain relief medication.

Lyrica is indicated: Lyrica is a prescribed medication that "binds with high affinity to the alpha2-delta site (an auxiliary subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels) in central nervous system tissues." In the U.S., it is indicated for the following conditions: Neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) ;Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN); Fibromyalgia; Partial onset seizure.

Because: It's a much more potent nerve medicine than Neurontin (gabapentin) and abrupt cessation or incorrect use can precipitate seizures.

It is schedule V: Which is the lowest of the schedule numbers (for example, oxycodone is schedule ii and benzodiazepines are schedule iv). Lyrica (pregabalin) acts at the same kinds of receptors that benzodiazepines act at - GABA receptors- and has been shown to have some abuse potential, particularly in people who already have substance abuse issues, particularly alcohol and benzodiazepine abuse/dependency.