Pfizer: Once-a-day Lyrica failed in epilepsy trial

[November 17, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Pfizer says that a long-lasting version of its anti-seizure drug Lyrica failed to significantly decrease epilepsy symptoms when compared with placebo.

The company said Friday that a study of two doses of once-a-day pregabalin CR showed the pills were well tolerated, but did not meet the study's goal of decreasing seizure frequency. The company tracked patients' seizures for 28 days while taking the drug and compared that rate to an 8-week baseline period.

Pfizer said it will continue with two other studies evaluating the drug for fibromyalgia and post-herpetic neuralgia.

Lyrica is Pfizer's top-selling drug with sales of $1.04 billion in the most recent quarter. The regular formulation of the drug is approved to prevent seizures and pain associated with diabetes, shingles and fibromyalgia.

Pfizer Inc. shares rose a penny to $23.67 in midday trading.

[Associated Press]

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