New drug relieves pain from fibromyalgia

bron: Los Angeles Times
datum: February 17, 2003


Conventional medications, such as Tylenol, Motrin or even morphine, provide
little relief to sufferers of fibromyalgia, a mysterious and debilitating
pain disorder. But a new drug might be able to thwart the nerve signals that
scientists believe trigger the pain.

"This is a real breakthrough not only because it works, but it proves
fibromyalgia can be treated," says Dr. Leslie Crofford, a rheumatologist at
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who has studied the new drug,
pregabalin.

The syndrome affects an estimated 5.6 million Americans.

Pregabalin reduces the release of specific brain chemicals, such as
glutamate and noradrenaline, that may cause pain, says Terry Griesing, a
neurology researcher with Pfizer Inc.

The drug, which still needs FDA approval, could be on the market as early as
2004.


- Los Angeles Times