Wednesday, September 21, 2005

New Relief From Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

One of the most debilitating experiences I ever had in my life was with the pain caused by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) that followed my bout of shingles. Many immune-suppressed patients who have had chicken pox as a child suddenly now find themselves overcome by shingles and the ensuing pain. So these announcements from Pfizer bode well for the future management of PHN.

This is the U.S. announcement. The Canadian announcement is similar.
NEW YORK, September 21 -- Pfizer Inc announced today that Lyrica® (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.

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.

Full U.S. press release: Lyrica Now Available in U.S.

Full Canadian press release:Lyrica Now Available in Canada

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