Lyrica Medication: First Drug Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia chronic muscular pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and arthritis related condition (Arthritis Foundation website - Disease Center - Fibromyalgia). The illness affects three -- six million Americans. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (Treatment for arthritis and related conditions), acknowledge the medical condition of fibromyalgia, and recognizable symptoms: Persistent pain on both sides of body and above and below waist, present for minimum of three months. Also, pain felt in at least 11 of 18 tender sites (Arthritis Foundation website - Disease Center - Fibromyagia). The illness linked to depression, fatigue, sleep problems, and problem solving or thinking. Majority fibromyalgia patients are women in their mid 30s to late 50s. (eMedicine Health website - Fibromalgia Overview). Causes and theorizes speculate what trigger this painful illness. Scientists and medical profession theorize fibromyalgia linked low level of the chemical called serotonim, confirmed by low level found in blood tests (eMedicine Health website - Fibromalgia Causes). Hereditary fibromyalgia genetically linked to one or more members of a family. Diagnosis confirmed by brain imagining test revealing decreased blood flow to specific area of the brain (thalamus region) (About.com - What cause Fibromyalgia). Also, emotional stress and food allergy (wheat, eggplant, dairy products, femented foods, and other foods), and chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings possible linked to fibromyalgia (Holistic.com - Fibromyalgia).

Depending upon the extent of fibromyalgia illness, treatment includes exercise programs and relaxation techniques tailored to each patient order to diminish pain. Prescribe medication at best only reduce pain or symptoms but unfortunately no permanent solution. Prescribe medication includes prozac, effective to easy symptoms throughout the day and help ensure a good night sleep (Arthritis Foundation - Disease Center - Fibromyalgia Treatment options and Drugs), and antidepressants.

In June 2007, Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer pharmaceuticals distribution and sale of Lyrica (generic name Pregabalin) for the treatment of fibromyalgia (First FDA approval medication treat this illness). Lyrica previously approved by the FDA, treat the pain due to shingles and diabetes. Dr. Don Goldenberg, MD, professor of medicine, Tufts University, and co-chair of the fibromyalgia guideline panel for the American Pain Society said: "This is an important day for people with fibromalgia and real opportunity to help physicians effectively manage this disorder" (PHARMABIZ.com - Pfizer's fibromyalgia drug gets US FDA approval (June 23, 2007)). A Bear Stearns analyst John Boris stated: "Pfizer needs the firbromyalgia indication to stimulate Lyrica growth" (Yahoo Finance - Pfizer's Lyrica Gets FDA Approval to Treat Fibromyalgia - June 22, 2007). Pfizer news release mentioned Lyrica has been prescribed for five million patients worldwide for various uses. According FDA approval, Lyrica is prescribed 300 or 450 milligrams per day dosage. Common side effects of the medication include mild to moderate dizziness and sleepiness (newratings.com - Pfizer Gets FDA approval for fibromyalgia treatment - June 22, 2007). Also, other side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, and swelling of the hands and feet, reported during clinical trials, approximately 1,800 fibromyalgia patients, correlated according to administered drug dosage. Food and Drug Administration advised health professionals inform patients the use of Lyrica may impair their ability to drive. Also, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Steven Galson said: "However, consumers should understand that some patients did not experience benefits in clinical trials. We still have more progress to make for treatment of this disorder." Pfizer plans to further analyze the performance of the drug on children with fibromyalgia and effects on breastfeeding women (webmd.com - Fibromyalgia Health Center - FDA OKs Lyrica as 1st Fibromyalgia Drug by Miranda Hitti).

Yahoo Press release - Pfizer's Lyrica Receives FDA Approval for Firbromyalgia Based on Expedited Review (June 21, 2007) - Regarding how Lyrica functions to work: "Lyrica binds to a specific protein within overexcited nerve cells and works to calm damaged nerves. This is thought to reduce the level of pain in patients suffering from fibromalygia, although the exact mechanism of how Lyrica acts in fibromyalgia is not known". Also, Lyrica drug is more likely to be misused by patients that have previous drug or alcohol problem.