FDA Reports Increased Risk of Suicidal Behavior In Patients
Using Lyrica and Other Epilepsy Drugs

If you or a loved one suffered as a result of using Lyrica, CLICK HERE for a free legal case evaluation.

Pfizer’s Lyrica was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in 2004, for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. Approved uses were later expanded to include fibromyalgia and epilepsy.

In July 2008 FDA officials proposed that Lyrica and ten other drugs used for epilepsy, should carry a “black box” warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. The FDA’s proposal was submitted after evaluating 199 studies and finding that .43 percent of patients on epilepsy drugs killed themselves or thought about committing suicide, compared with .24 percent of patients who received the placebo. The FDA’s black box warning is their sternest warning.

Despite the increased risk, the FDA expert advisory panel voted against adding the black box warning to Lyrica and the other ten epilepsy drugs. They determined that suicidal behavior was relatively rare and explained “out of 43,000 patients studied, 30 taking epilepsy drugs attempted suicide, vs. six who were taking placebos. Four patients on the drugs—but none taking placebo—completed suicide.” Experts are still urging the FDA to place some type of new warnings on the drugs.

The other drugs include Neurontin, Topamax, Lamictal, valproate, oxcargazepine, Tegretol, tiagabine, zonisamide, levitiracetam and felbamate.

DO NOT MAKE CHANGES OR STOP TAKING PRESCRIBED MEDICATION WITHOUT TALKING WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

If you or a loved one suffered as a result of Lyrica, CLICK HERE for a free legal case evaluation.

Links:

FDA Still Mulling Warning for Pfizer’s Lyrica
http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/07/08/fda-still-mulling-warning-for-pfizers-lyrica/

Advisory Panel Rejects “Black Box” Warnings of Suicide Risk
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/news/20080710/fda-panel-no-warning-on-epilepsy-drugs.