Relieving Diabetic Nerve Pain With LYRICA

Diabetic nerve pain is a unique type of pain

Your pain is different than pain you may experience from a headache or a sprained ankle. That's because the shooting, burning, pins and needles pain of diabetic nerve pain is the result of damaged nerves.

LYRICA is approved for the management of diabetic nerve pain

LYRICA is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be taken every day for the management of diabetic nerve pain. Neither over-the-counter pain relief pills nor prescription narcotics are specifically approved by the FDA for the management of diabetic nerve pain. LYRICA is not an antidepressant or a narcotic. However, those who have had drug or alcohol problems may be more likely to misuse LYRICA. There is no generic version of LYRICA.

*Individual results may vary.

LYRICA can provide significant diabetic nerve pain relief

LYRICA can help relieve the shooting, burning, pins and needles pain in the feet and hands. In a 5-week clinical study, most patients with diabetic nerve pain who were taking LYRICA reported feeling significantly better.

In clinical studies, some patients felt less pain in as soon as 1 week. For others it took longer.*

In clinical studies, the 2 most common side effects while taking LYRICA were dizziness and sleepiness. Most side effects were mild to moderate, and for many they went away with time. For others, they lasted throughout the course of the study. Learn more about how to take LYRICA and the potential side effects of LYRICA.

*Individual results may vary.

LYRICA can be taken with other medicines

LYRICA has a low potential for interaction with other medicines you may be taking. But it's important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

A 2011 guideline recognized LYRICA as an effective treatment

In 2011, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a guideline for treating diabetic nerve pain, or painful diabetic neuropathy.

The AAN guideline was created by experts who reviewed 79 available scientific studies on therapies for painful diabetic neuropathy and rated the quality of these studies, including study duration, design, and number of patients.

Of all the treatments used for painful diabetic neuropathy and rated by the AAN, LYRICA was the only one found to have “strong evidence” supporting its effectiveness.

None of the studies reviewed by the AAN compared LYRICA with other diabetic nerve pain treatments. The AAN concluded that the LYRICA studies conducted were more robust than studies of other treatments.

The AAN does not intend its guideline to be a substitute for your doctor’s advice or a recommendation for what treatment may be appropriate for you.

How LYRICA works on damaged nerves

People with diabetes have high blood sugar levels. Having high blood sugar over time or fluctuations in blood sugar damages nerves. In some people, this damage causes a unique type of pain—diabetic nerve pain. LYRICA is believed to work on these damaged nerves.

It is unknown exactly how LYRICA works in the body. Animal studies suggest that LYRICA reduces "extra" electrical signals sent out by these damaged nerves. The implication of these studies in humans is not known.

Ready to ask your doctor about LYRICA? Learn what information to give your doctor on the next page.