LYRICA (pregabalin) has been Pfizer’s flagship blockbuster brand for many years due to the fact that it has been approved in multiple indications. It has also been the highest-selling neurology brand for several years. As such, the company has tried using aggressive strategies to extend the brand’s lifecycle in order to protect it from generic competition.
What is the most important information patients taking LYRICA should know:
LYRICA may cause serious allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away if you think you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
- swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue or neck.
- have any trouble breathing.
- other allergic reactions may include rash, hives and blisters.
Precautions:
- LYRICA may cause dizziness and sleepiness.
- Do not drive a car, work with machines, or do other dangerous activities until you know how LYRICA affects how alert you are. Ask your doctor when it is okay to do these activities.
- LYRICA may cause problems with your eyesight, including blurry vision. Call your doctor if you have any changes in your eyesight.
Indications of LYRICA:
LYRICA is a prescription medicine used for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with:
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pain from damaged nerves due to diabetes).
- Postherpetic neuralgia (persisting pain following rash due to shingles).
- Pain from damaged nerves in the spinal cord.
- LYRICA is also used for the symptomatic relief of pain associated with fibromyalgia (a condition which includes widespread pain).
What does it do:
LYRICA can relieve pain. Some patients taking LYRICA showed improvement as early as the first week of treatment.
When it should not be used:
- You should not take LYRICA if you are allergic to pregabalin, the main ingredient in LYRICA, or any other ingredient in LYRICA.
- Children under the age of 18 years.
The most common side effects:
- dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, swelling of the extremities, weight gain, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, muscle weakness, constipation, and forgetfulness.
- a small number of patients taking a drug of this type may experience thoughts of suicide. Your doctor should be informed immediately if this occurs.
Taking LYRICA with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
Note: Take as prescribed by your doctor, with or without food, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
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Resource Person: Lobna Adi