Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain agent. Its FDA-approved indications are:
✅ FDA-Approved Indications (U.S.)
- Neuropathic Pain associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- For painful diabetic nerve damage.
- Neuropathic Pain associated with Spinal Cord Injury
- Approved specifically for pain due to spinal cord damage.
- Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
- Pain following shingles.
- Fibromyalgia
- One of the few drugs FDA-approved for fibromyalgia.
- Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures (in patients ≥1 month old)
- Used with other anti-seizure medicines for partial (focal) seizures.
⚠️ Important Notes
- Not FDA-approved for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the U.S., though it is approved in Europe and other regions.
- Controlled substance (Schedule V) due to potential for misuse (euphoria, dependence).
- Common off-label uses in the U.S.: generalized anxiety disorder, restless legs syndrome, migraine prevention, etc.
✅ In summary:
Lyrica is FDA-approved for: diabetic neuropathic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, spinal cord injury neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and as adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures.
Would you like me to also prepare a concise comparison table showing Lyrica vs Gabapentin (Neurontin) indications, since they are closely related but differ in approvals?
