Lyrica / Pregabalin Provides Longer-Term Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

Lyrica, generic drug name pregabalin, has been shown to provide significant pain relief in a 6-month study of fibromyalgia patients. The new report was presented at the 70th annual scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. The study abstract is available online (Presentation number L44). In a previous 8 week double-blind study, (Lyrica for Fibromyalgia) published in the April 2005 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the medication Lyrica:

• significantly reduced the pain of fibromyalgia
• improved sleep and fatigue
• improved other patient-reported conditions including bodily pain and vitality

The expanded pain relief in fibromyalgia patients is promising. Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat. To date, no FDA-approved treatment exists for fibromyalgia. Doctors treat fibromyalgia with a variety of drugs developed and approved for other purposes.

• How is Fibromyalgia Treated?
• Fibromyalgia Drug Treatment Options
• Lyrica / Pregabalin Drug Information

In the new study, 1,051 study participants entered a 6-week study to test the effectiveness for pain control and medication tolerance of 300, 450, or 600 mg daily doses of pregabalin. The participants had fibromyalgia for over 7 years and stated the severity of their pain (mean was 78 on a 100-point visual analog scale). After 6 weeks, 663 participants or 63 percent reported more than 50 percent reduction in pain. Of that group, 566 participants entered into a double-blind pregabalin study for 6 months. By the end of the 6 months, 61 percent of placebo patients had lost response compared to 32 percent of patients on pregabalin.

More Related Resources:

• Fibromyalgia Screening Quiz
• How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
• Fast Facts About Fibromyalgia
• Test Your Knowledge: Fibromyalgia
• 10 Things You Should Know About Fibromyalgia
• How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

_{Image © ADAM}