Lyrica (Pregabalin) Fails For HIV-Related Neuropathy

Today's post from medicalnewstoday.com (see link below) delivers very frustrating news. Normally, I don't express opinions on information posts and prefer to let people make up their own minds but the information below seems to confirm what has long been thought by patients and doctors alike: Lyrica (pregabalin), as a treatment for HIV-related, neuropathic pain, just doesn't work. Most people encounter Lyrica at some stage along their medication journey as their neuropathic pain gets worse. It's an anti-convulsant drug (epilepsy) that has long been used to help with nerve pain and has side effects which some people find very unpleasant (see other posts about Lyrica in the alphabetical list here on the right of the blog page).
The fact that the makers (Pfizer) have published this information themselves can be seen as an indication of corporate honesty and responsibility but considering their experiences with lawsuits over the last few years, it can be assumed that they had very little choice. The fact is that many people have been 'fed' a drug, with no beneficial effects and distinct side effects - guinea pigs again!

Lyrica (pregabalin) No Good For Diabetes Or HIV Associated Neuropathic Pain

Article Date: 04 May 2012  Written by Christian Nordqvist

Lyrica (pregabalin) failed in two separate human trials to reduce neuropathic pain linked to diabetes or HIV, said makers Pfizer today.

One of the trials - Phase III HIV neuropathy - was stopped early because no benefits were found in an interim analysis on 246 patients out of a planned 416.

The other study, also a placebo-controlled Phase III trial, involving 665 individuals, looked at Lyrica for peripheral diabetic neuropathy (second-line therapy). Other treatments had been ineffective.

The participants were switched to pregabalin (single-blind) for a period of six, and then randomly selected to be administered either more pregabalin or placebo for a further 13 weeks (double blind).

The patients on pregabalin did improve from baseline to the end of the trial period. However, there was not a significant difference when compared to the placebo - on a standard 10-point scale the difference was 3.9 versus 3.5.

Pregabalin is approved as first-line treatment for diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, partial onset seizures, and postherpetic neuralgia.

Steven J. Romano, M.D., senior vice president, Head, Medicines Development Group, Global Primary Care Business Unit, Pfizer Inc., said:

"The results of this study show the complexities of studying pain, particularly in a difficult-to-treat condition such as neuropathic pain associated with HIV neuropathy for which there are no approved medications in the United States.

The study of Lyrica for this condition is an example of Pfizer's dedication to better understanding neuropathic pain and to providing data and developing treatments to address areas of patient need."

What is neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is chronic pain caused by a nervous system injury. The injury may be in the brain or spinal cord (central nervous system) or nerves outside the spinal cord or brain (peripheral nervous system).

Neuropathic pain can be the result of trauma and many diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV, and stroke.

Neuropathic pain affects approximately 2 million people in the USA. It is often very hard to treat properly.

Written by Christian Nordqvist

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245032.php