Originally, I wasn’t going to write about the developments of the nerve pain drug Lyrica. I don’t find much interest in drug developments. I view treatments that surround a regime based on pills with a skeptical eye (at best). In my experience, it hindered my progress…not helped it.

However, this is not the case for everyone. Lyrica is no longer breaking news….people have been talking about its use for Fibromyalgia patients for weeks now. It is still news though, and so I will report it. Just not throwing my support behind it.

On June 21, 2007 the FDA approved Lyrica as the first drug treatment for Fibromyalgia. Let me say, that Lyrica is not a cure, although it might ease some symptoms. It is already approved by the FDA for the treatment of nerve pain caused by shingles and by diabetes. The drug is also known to reduce some forms of epileptic seizures.

According to Steven Galson, MD of the FDA

Today’s new approval marks an important advance, and provides a reason for optimism for the many patients who will receive pain relief with Lyrica. However, consumers should understand that some patients did not experience benefit in clinical trials. We still have more progress to make for treatment of this disorder

The clinical trials that Dr Galson are referring, consisted of two trials of about 18 000 fibromyalgia patients. The trials backed Lyrica’s use in treating fibromyalgia at doses of 300 milligrams or 450 milligrams per day, according to the FDA.

As with any drug, side effects will be present when you take Lyrica. Here is a list of what you might experience, when you start on this regime: dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, weight gain, dry mouth, swelling of the hands and feet, impaired motor function, and problems with concentration and attention.

You all know how I feel about this kind of treatment. While I try to keep an open mind about developments such as this, I find that a passive approach (ie pill taking) is definitely not for me. Of course, I may be alone in thinking this way. I am ok with that. If you have had a good experience with meds such as Lyrica (or some other one), I want to know about it. Or if you have a difference of opinion, please share it. Different opinions help my views to become broader….and that is a good thing.

Post from: Blisstree

Are you interested in taking Lyrica?