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Pfizer's Lyrica (Pregabalin) Now Available for Patients in the US

NEW YORK, NY -- September 21, 2005 -- Pfizer Inc announced today that Lyrica(R) (pregabalin) capsules c-v, a new prescription medication for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy, is now available in U.S. pharmacies.

"I am pleased to be able to prescribe Lyrica for my patients," said Dr. Edgar Ross, director of the Pain Management Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "Until now, we've had limited options to treat patients with these types of neuropathic pain. I have seen the benefits of Lyrica in providing rapid and sustained pain relief among my patients in the clinical trials."

Developed by Pfizer, Lyrica has a newly defined mechanism of action and represents an important treatment advance. It is the first treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat two distinct forms of neuropathic pain, and is the first new antiepileptic drug introduced in five years.

"Lyrica made a real difference in helping me control my seizures," said Teresa N., who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1996, and participated in one of the Lyrica clinical trials. "Until I added Lyrica to my treatment regimen, nothing had worked."

Neuropathic pain, one of the most debilitating forms of pain, is caused by nerve damage that can result from underlying conditions, such as diabetes or shingles. Nearly half of the 18 million Americans with diabetes will develop some form of diabetic neuropathy over the course of their disease. Some will develop painful DPN which is often described as burning, tingling, sharp, stabbing, or pins and needles in the feet, legs, hands or arms.

PHN is a complication of shingles, a painful outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin caused by a reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox (the herpes zoster virus). Each year, about 150,000 Americans develop PHN, which is often characterized as constant stabbing, burning, or electric shock-like sensation.

Partial onset seizures represent over half of all seizures in patients with epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition affecting nearly three million Americans. While epilepsy can be caused by genetic predisposition or head injuries, in most cases the cause is unknown. Epilepsy can affect the ability to work and drive. It is also linked to a number of other serious conditions, which may increase seizure frequency. Despite the availability of current treatments, many patients still experience uncontrolled seizures.

The most common side effects of Lyrica are dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, swelling of hands and feet, blurred vision, weight gain and trouble concentrating. The discontinuation rate due to side effects was low. Patients with a history of drug or alcohol abuse may have a higher chance of misuse or abuse of Lyrica.


SOURCE: Pfizer Inc

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