Pfizer reports ‘significantly reduced pain’ with Lyrica

Pfizer has announced the presentation of study results at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology showing a 50 per cent reduction in pain in patients treated with Lyrica (pregabalin) compared to those administered with placebo.

The company reports that the compound may help patients manage Fibromyalgia, a common chronic pain condition believed to derive from neurological changes in pain perception in patients.

During the study, patients receiving 600 mg, 450 mg and 300 mg of the compound saw their pain reduced by 2.05, 2.03 and 1.75 on a reported pain scale, while those receiving placebo registered a 1.04 reduction.

Lyrica is approved for a number of central neuropathic pain indications and generalised anxiety disorder in Europe.

Dr I Jon Russell, associate professor of medicine in the division of clinical immunology and rheumatology at the University of Texas Health Science Centre, said: “A growing body of evidence is defining the biology behind fibromyalgia that causes such devastating and constant pain.”

He added that it is vital that patients suffering from this disease experience a reduction in pain, with the studies of Lyrica and potential new treatments being investigated providing a positive outlook for fibromyalgia patients.

In November 2006, Pfizer announced the publication of clinical trial data in the Neurology journal showing that treatment with pregabalin is effective in reducing central neuropathic pain and lowering resulting sleep disturbances.