For many people, pain is a normal part of day-to-day life. Desperate for help, some resort to trying a variety of alternative remedies, such as massage, herbal supplements, acupuncture and more. With that being said, the vast majority of people use medications to reduce their pain. Recently, a relatively new medication showed the potential to reduce a very serious type of chronic pain; however, it may never be a good option for people who have temporomandibular disorder.
Lyrica
The drug manufacturer Pfizer Inc. recently released a report detailing clinical trials that tested the pain medication Lyrica on more than 400 fibromyalgia patients. According to the report, Lyrica offered effective pain relief to most of the subjects; however, results tended to falter when participants continued to use the medication for two months.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Lyrica for patients who suffer from pain associated with spinal chord injuries, diabetes, shingles and nerve damage; however, the drug isn’t available to people who suffer from TMD. That said, this most recent clinical trial seems to indicate that Pfizer may be looking to expand Lyrica’s market.
No Need to Wait
Even if Lyrica was approved as a treatment for pain associated with TMD; it wouldn’t necessarily be an appropriate option. According to Pfizer, the drug can cause certain side-effects, including skin swelling, balance disorders, dizziness, sleepiness, trouble concentrating, blurred vision and weight gain.
If you have temporomandibular disorder, there’s no reason to rely on pain medications that could cause potential health problems down the road. Non-medicinal TMD relief is available today in the form of a bite splint, which works by realigning a bad bite. To find out how this simple, effective TMD cure can drastically enhance the quality of your life, Contact Us today or call the TMJ Therapy & Sleep Center of Colorado at (303) 691-0267 to schedule your consultation.
Related article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/19/pain-drug-lyrica/1715621/
