- In a small trial of 29 people with severe lumbar spinal stenosis, the most common cause of lower back pain, Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) Lyrica (pregabalin) did not perform any better than placebo in relieving pain.
- Lyrica is not approved for the indication, but the company funded the study to explore the potential label expansion. In spinal stenosis, the canals where the nerves pass through the spine narrow due to conditions such as arthritis. The narrowed passages pinch the nerves causing chronic pain.
- The product is currently approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, adjunctive therapy for adults with partial onset seizures, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury.
- Lyrica generated $4.9B in sales the past four quarters.