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Pregabalin (Lyrica) Linked to Increase in Birth Defects
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Santa Clara, CA: Data collected by the Swiss Teratogen Information Service, a facility that collects reports of potential harmful effects of drugs, and a subsequent study on the data published in the journal Neurology, reveals that the pain medication pregabalin (Lyrica) may be linked to birth defects.
Pregabalin is approved in the US to treat nerve pain, including fibromyalgia and pain caused by shingles and diabetes, as well as for seizures. Some physicians are also prescribing the drug off-label for generalized anxiety disorder.
The researchers found that women who took pregabalin during pregnancy had a higher risk of having babies with birth defects. The study shows a three times greater risk for birth defects in women who took pregabalin during their first trimester of pregnancy.
These results add to the existing evidence from animal studies that also show a higher rate of skeletal and neural tube defects among those exposed to pregabalin, raising concern about the risk for pregnant women.
The label for pregabalin states the drug it is not recommended for pregnant women or women who are hoping to become pregnant. However, the study' senior author, Dr. Thierry Buclin, notes that 77% of the women were taking pregabalin before they learned they were pregnant.
"We checked and rechecked all of the outcomes,"says Buclin. "We were a bit surprised by the positive finding of higher birth defects. It' definitely concerning."(TIME)
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Pregabalin is approved in the US to treat nerve pain, including fibromyalgia and pain caused by shingles and diabetes, as well as for seizures. Some physicians are also prescribing the drug off-label for generalized anxiety disorder.
The researchers found that women who took pregabalin during pregnancy had a higher risk of having babies with birth defects. The study shows a three times greater risk for birth defects in women who took pregabalin during their first trimester of pregnancy.
These results add to the existing evidence from animal studies that also show a higher rate of skeletal and neural tube defects among those exposed to pregabalin, raising concern about the risk for pregnant women.
The label for pregabalin states the drug it is not recommended for pregnant women or women who are hoping to become pregnant. However, the study' senior author, Dr. Thierry Buclin, notes that 77% of the women were taking pregabalin before they learned they were pregnant.
"We checked and rechecked all of the outcomes,"says Buclin. "We were a bit surprised by the positive finding of higher birth defects. It' definitely concerning."(TIME)
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PREGABALIN BIRTH DEFECTS LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS
Why Take Lyrica and Other Anticonvulsant Drugs Associated with Birth Defects?
Lyrica and Topamax: Same but Different
Who should be Prescribed Lyrica?
January 30, 2017
Washington, DC: Not all anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are made equal. Some AEDs, including Lyrica, are known to be associated with more birth defects than others. So why are they prescribed to pregnant women and/or women who may get pregnant? READ MORE
Lyrica and Topamax: Same but Different
December 15, 2016
Washington, DC: Studies have shown that some anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are safer than others during pregnancy. For instance, Lyrica is classified as Category C while Topamax has Category D status. But both AEDs have been associated with birth defects. READ MORE
Who should be Prescribed Lyrica?
November 16, 2016
Osseo, MN:When the FDA approved Lyrica in 2007 to treat fibromyalgia, Pfizer’s profits likely skyrocketed as the disease affects about 3 million to 6 million people in the US each year. It took the agency two more years to warn about possible Lyrica birth defects—how many pregnant women suffering from fibromyalgia took the anticonvulsant drug without knowing? READ MORE
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