Pregabalin (Lyrica) stretches its legs

Pregabalin, sold as Lyrica, is a relatively new drug.  It was approved in the EU in 2004, and in the US in 2005.  Pregabalin has been used to treat nerve pain, such as diabetic nerve pain and pain after shingles.  It has also been used to treat partial onset seizures.

But pregabalin has been popping up in the news lately because of studies indicating its usefulness for other pain-related problems, particularly chronic ones.  Earlier this month the European Neurological Society (ENS) heard a report about the drug’s impact on chronic tension-type headache.  Pregabalin was used as a preventative, and patients had a small but noticeable improvement, as well as some reduction in "comorbid anxiety", the anxiety that seems to go along with chronic tension headache.

Last year the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) heard a report on the use of pregabalin in treating sleep problems related to chronic pain.  It’s also been used for spinal cord injury pain.  Most recently, in the US the FDA approved its use for fibromyalgia, a disease that often goes along with migraine.  In the EU it has been approved for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.

Pregabalin is certainly helping some patients, but more studies will show exactly whether or not it will be a good choice for chronic pain.  It is interesting to watch more studies being done on neuropathic pain, and how these many diseases may have commonalities and common treatments.

There are concerns about dependancy on drugs like Lyrica, and some patients do experience side effects, such as vision problems, dizziness and chest tightness.  It’s probably still a long way down the list of things to try for most types of chronic pain.  But it’s worth keeping an eye on Lyrica and related drugs.