1st U.S. Drug Approved for Fibromyalgia

21 June 2007—(Womenshealth.gov HealthDay News) – Lyrica (pregabalin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia. It’s the first drug approved in the United States to treat the condition that affects up to 6 million Americans, the agency said Thursday. People with fibromyalgia usually have chronic pain, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and sleep problems. The disorder affects more women than men, and commonly develops in early-to-middle adulthood. In the absence of a diagnostic test, doctors typically conduct physical examinations, evaluate symptoms, and rule out other possibilities, the FDA said. More about this medication is on the FDA site.